Why Christmas Is Special

“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” (I John 4:9).

What’s so special about Christmas? The stores would have us think Christmas is all about giving gifts.

Oh sure, God came to earth, we know that part. He had dropped by occasionally before, to make an announcement. All those other times, people either saw God or one of His angels, who may have stayed around for a few hours.

At Christmas God came to live on earth for a few years. Why is that special? People were accustomed to God as one whom they worshiped, but they did not see Him.

Prophets told!

Every now and then a prophet would tell the people God was coming. The prophet dropped hints, according to God’s directions, so people would know what to look for when God arrived.

Sometimes what the prophet said the people could not grasp. They thought of God as always helping them when they were in trouble. The idea of God ever suffering in any way seemed inconceivable.

Just a conquering hero?

They only thought of God as a conquering hero. When He wasn’t delivering them from a dilemma, He was giving them rain so they could raise crops and live a normal life.

One of the prophets said when God came to earth, He would heal people. What a terrific idea!

The same prophet said, “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11).

Jesus said about Himself, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” (John 10:14).

Surprise! He came for Gentiles and Jews

Sometimes a prophet would tell the people God was going to open the doors to let the Gentile nations receive His blessings. That was a jolt! The Jews, who lived in Israel, regarded themselves as special because God had set them apart to be His people.

They kept conveniently forgetting they were supposed to share their good news about God with people who lived in other countries.

God’s people frequently failed to carry out His instructions to them. God was not deterred!

Jesus carried out God’s Plan

Part of God’s plan was for Him to come to earth to live. When Jesus was born as a human, He was carrying out God’s plan.

While Jesus was on earth He focused on the Jews as His special project. Jesus, as both God and man in one person, was called to work with the Jews in particular.

On several occasions though, Jesus went out of His way to help non-Jews. One day He led His disciples through Samaria, not the Jews’ preferred route. Jesus set aside time to visit with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s ancient well, which was still in operation.

In no time at all, Jesus spoke to her about the core issues of her life. As her eyes grew big with amazement at His revelations about her, the lady remembered stories of how God was coming to earth. Upon mentioning this to Jesus, He calmly identified Himself as that very person! Jesus wanted this lady of mixed-race heritage to know God regarded her as special.

This is the kind of relationship God specializes in, one-on-one, God and human.

Jesus came to have a personal relationship with us

This is one reason, God, as Jesus, came to earth. He wanted to make clear to everyone He is real and accessible. God loves people and wants us to know Him on a personal basis. This is good news worth sharing!

This sets Christmas apart as special to me. God came to live on earth, making Himself vulnerable as a human. God, who had not suffered physically when He was in heaven, came to earth as a human to be one of us, in order to help us.

When we give gifts to one another this Christmas, may we remember God gave us a gift unlike any other? As we focus on Jesus shattering the barrier between heaven and earth, may we tell others about this news always worth celebrating?

Shirley Logsdon