We’ve all heard it said that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”. I would even venture to say that all of us would heartily agree with that sentiment. However, as we hustle in and out of the activities of the season, do we ever really stop to consider the scope of what that phrase really means?
Having been raised in church the accounts surrounding the birth of Christ are very familiar to me. But this year, I’ve challenged myself to look deeper into the Advent of His birth and I want to share with each of you, in the form of an acrostic, where this journey has taken me.
Christ - Let’s start with taking the word “Christmas”. Clearly, Christmas should begin with Christ. Over the years many have tried to take Christ out of Christmas but no matter what they try, He’s still there leading us into a Season of Hope, Joy, Peace, and Goodwill. In Matthew 1:1, we are introduced to His story; “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham;”.Peter also proclaimed Jesus’s identity in Matthew 16:15 when Jesus questioned the disciples “But who do you say that I am?”. (16) Simon Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
High Priest – In Hebrews 3:1, Paul writes that “we embrace Him as our apostle and our High Priest”. The gift of Frankincense presented by the Wise Men was also symbolic of Jesus’ role as our High Priest. Historically, frankincense was mixed with the oil that was used to anoint the priest of Israel. The role of the High Priest in the Old times was to go into the Holy of Holies, into the presence of God, and mediate for the people. Jesus’ birth heralded a change that affects our lives today. Jesus, our High Priest, is our mediator.
Redeemer – A redeemer is defined as a person who redeems someone or something. Redeem means to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something or to gain or regain possession of something in exchange for payment. Jesus did this for us. He paid the debt of sin for the whole world by dying on the cross. Galatians 4:4-5 tells us “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons (and daughters).”
Immanuel – “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23. Jesus left heaven to be with us. He didn’t come to live in a palace but instead was born to a teenage girl and an uneducated carpenter from the small inconsequential town of Nazareth. And, that was just the beginning. Today, God, the Holy Spirit is still with us. The truth of Jeremiah 29:13 still stands "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Son of God – For four hundred years, there had not been a prophet in Israel. But the promise of the Messiah lived on; handed down from generation to generation. From Father to Son. From Mother to Daughter. Until the time was right. A young girl from the line of David was chosen to be Jesus’ mother. The angel told her in Luke 1:35, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
Teacher – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. All through the gospels, we see Jesus the teacher. He taught the disciples. He taught the multitudes. He taught the individuals like Zacchaeus and the Woman at the Well. He taught in the Temple. He taught on the hillside. He taught from a fishing boat and while washing his disciple's feet. In all of his teachings, Jesus was showing us the character and heart of God.
Messiah – The Messiah, the Chosen One, was the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish People. Throughout the Old Testament, the coming of the Messiah, the deliverer, had been foretold by the prophets. Generations had long awaited his coming. When the angels heralded Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, they proclaimed “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” There was no mistaking the angel's meaning. Your wait is over! The one you have been looking for has arrived! The Bible tells us the shepherds “hurried off” and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby.
Anointed One - From the moment of his birth, Jesus was consecrated and set apart. He was and is the Anointed One. The one that Isaiah had prophesied about. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18 Jesus was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy from Isaiah 61.1. Jesus came to proclaim the good news. He came to free the captive. He came to heal us and make us whole.
Savior – a savior is defined as a person who saves someone or something from danger. In Matthew 1:20, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him “do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”Jesus came to be our Savior. Romans 10:13 promises us that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Jesus came to be the Christ, our High Priest, our Redeemer, Immanuel, the Son of God, our Teacher, the Messiah, Anointed One, and our Savior. Even though His coming was anticipated for generations, it still caught people unprepared. He was born in a stable because there was no room for them in the inn. Many never acknowledged Him at all, but for those who did, their lives were changed forever.
Fast forward 2000 years and we find ourselves in the same situation. The need for Jesus is as real today as it was then. People still need Him as Mediator, Redeemer, Savior, Teacher, and Messiah. This year, are you making room for Jesus? Don't get caught up in the busyness of the season. Take time to reflect on the reason for the season. Make room for Him, not just as a Nativity display on your coffee table, but in your heart and life. God's gift to us is not just for Christmas, but for all year long.
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