The title of this week’s devotional is the Christmas theme for our 2023 celebration of the birth, or incarnation of Jesus Christ. To set the record straight, we can be 99.9% sure that Jesus (Yeshua) was not born on December 25th. The closest biblical festival to Jesus being the Light of the world, would be Hanukah, which is also known as the Festival of Lights. It is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE.

Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting this year on December 7th, and runs until December 15th according to the Hebrew calendar. Jesus refers to this feast in John 10:22. So the question that is prone to be asked is why is our Christmas theme, Why the Incarnation? There are many reasons, but let me ask you a question. When you look at the majority of Christmas displays or listen to the majority of Christmas songs that are played in public places, do they have anything to do with the reason why God sent His Only Begotten Son into the world to die for sinners?

Sadly, the answer is no. But the tragedy of it all is that those who are spiritually lost are blinded by the god of this world to the truth of the Incarnation and in reality, are not celebrating the birth of Jesus at all. How absurd would it be for me to think that I am celebrating someone’s “birthday party” (to use an illustration), when their name is not mentioned once? Why the Incarnation? 1 John 3:5 “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin”. 1 John 3:8 “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil”. 1John 4:9 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him”.

Hallelujah! Jesus Christ, the Light of the world came into this world to take away our sins. To destroy the works of the devil. That we might live (be given eternal life) through faith in Jesus Christ. Charles Wesley wrote the song, “Hark the herald Angels sing”….listen to the words. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by. Born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth. Born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing. "Glory to the new-born king". Those words are the reason and answer to the question, Why the Incarnation? Join us every Sunday this December and invite people as we search the Scriptures declare why Jesus Christ came into this world of sin and sinners. Selah