Why is Christmas so Important to Humanity?

In this day where Christmas is the center of legal battles between atheists/ humanists and Christians in the public square, and stores trying to finish the year in the black, the importance of Christmas is totally lost to a large majority of American people. 
Since this is the present reality in which many Americans live, it is important to once again look to the Scriptures, God’s Holy Word, and see what the Bible teaches us about why the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas was so important to all of humanity.

1. Christmas is important because God created you in His image and for His glory. Genesis 1:26-27; Revelation 4:11
• One of the amazing things we learn from the Bible is that every person on this planet was created in the image of God.  No matter who they are—rich, poor, healthy, sick, smart, not so smart, etc. . . –all bear God’s image.  You ask, “What proves that humanity is in the image of God?”  I say, “Just look at all fact that humanity is the only created creature on this planet that seeks to worship others and is religious.”   Also, consider that only humanity has the ability to create, to speak, to write, to invent.
• Another thing we learn from the Bible is that God made us in His image for a purpose.  That purpose is found in Revelation 4:11.  You and I were created to give the Lord glory.  We were made to worship and fellowship with the Lord!
2. Christmas is important because you and I have rebelled against His authority. Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8, 12
• We learn from the Bible that although we are created in His image, and for Him, you and I chose to go our own way and live a life apart from God (Romans 1:18-25). 
• In Genesis 2:15-17 and Genesis 3:9-11 we learn that humanity was given one command to obey to maintain a relationship with God.  We learn that Adam chose to rebel by eating the fruit which God told him not to eat (1 Timothy 2:13-14). By his rebellion against God, all of humanity is now in sin through birth and by nature (Romans 5:12; Romans 3:10, 23).
3. Christmas is important because God loves sinful humanity. Genesis 3:15; Luke 2:10-11; Romans 5:8
• The Bible teaches us that although we are in rebellion against God by nature (Ephesians 2:1-3), God demonstrated His mercy and grace to humanity by promising in Genesis 3:15 that One would come from the seed of the woman who would fatally crush the head of the Serpent.
• This promise was fulfilled by Jesus Christ, being born of the virgin (Isaiah 7:14, 9: 6-7; Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 1:26-35) for the direct purpose to save people from their sins.  Christ was born for the purpose to be the atoning sacrifice to pay for all the sins of humanity (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 1:29; Romans 5:1-15; Galatians 1:4; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 1 John 2:1-2).
4. Christmas is important because God wants you to trust in His promise of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9).
• The Bible, which is all about Jesus Christ, teaches us that Christ was born to reconcile humanity back to God.  This was done through the death of Christ on the cross.  The shedding of Christ’s blood cleanses us from all our sin (1 John 1:7).
• The Bible teaches us though that Christ didn’t stay dead,  but that He rose again the third day from the tomb (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)!  What is important about this is that since Christ is alive, He gives eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 3:14-18).
• Jesus Christ, the Christmas gift from God, was born so that you and I can once again be restored to fellowship with God and be forgiven of all our sins that we have done against Him!  My question to you is have you received this Christmas gift from God?
• All you have to do to receive this gift is to believe that the work of Christ was on your behalf (Romans 10:9-11), and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sin (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:12-13).

Wherever you are this Christmas season, I pray that you have received Jesus Christ, the Christmas gift from God, and that you know the reality of eternal life in the Eternal Son of God (John 1:1) who took on flesh (John 1:14) and was born that Christmas day in a manger in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, 

I bring you good news of great joy 

that will be for all the people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, 

who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11

Pastor Steve

Psalm 119:89