There is a very personal note in the Christmas message which is frequently missed by many. The birth of Jesus is not simply an interesting fact of history wholly unrelated to your present life, but rather it has a direct bearing upon it.
When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, the personal importance of His coming was emphasized. He said, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 210-11).
Have you ever thought that it was for you the Saviour was born? Do you realize that when God sent His Son into the world He sent Him to become your Saviour? Listen to the word of the herald angel, ” … I bring you good tidings of great joy … For unto you is born … a Saviour … “ Yes, it was for you that Jesus came.
When at this Christmas season the wonderful birth of Christ is brought again to your mind through Christmas carols, paintings and pictures, and through the sacred story itself, will you not consider it was for you that He came?
He did not come to be the inspiration of sacred art, nor to be the theme of glad song, much less to be merely a good man and a great teacher. Jesus came to be the Saviour, and as such He was born for you.
Bound inseparably together are the Saviour’s birth and His death. He came to save, and to save He must die, die in the sinner’s stead, bearing the full penalty of divine wrath for sin. This too, was personal it was for you.
Such a personal message of God’s love and grace demands a personal response. The Saviour who was born was God’s gift to you. He wants you to receive that gift. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
To receive the gift of God by faith, you must believe that Christ actually was born to be your Saviour. You should trust Him because He died for your sins. You should trust Him because He lives, having risen from the dead.
God’s call to you is “Come unto me … “ (Matthew 11:28).
The Gospel Standard