A Word from God's Word

“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” John 12:27

OVER THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS, it is so easy to be caught up in the busyness of the season, the purchasing of gifts for family and friends, and the planning of get-togethers with loved ones. All good things. But because of such busyness, it is important to remind oneself that the true significance of Christmas is that it marks the coming into the world of the Son of God. That God “became flesh” (John 1:14) in the manger in Bethlehem.

But the significance of Christmas goes far beyond the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. The story is not complete there. Rather, Christ came into the world for a purpose: He was born to die.

Jesus Himself expresses this in John 12:27 above. The context is that Jesus has just foretold that the hour of His death has come. And in 12:27, He makes clear that this is not something tragic that is coming upon Him, but instead, His death on the cross is the very purpose for which He came into this world.

The Baby in the manger in Bethlehem was born to die on the cross of Calvary. There, He died to purchase salvation for all who would embrace Him through faith, taking our sin upon Him so that we might have eternal life in Him. And that is the true meaning of Christmas.

Pastor Craig publishes  "A Word from God's Word" weekly in the "Kootenay News Advertiser".