The True Meaning of Christmas – Hope, Joy and Peace

 

Over 2000 years ago a baby was born in Bethlehem. This was not just any baby. Many deny his existence, but historical facts and archaeological finds prove that Jesus Christ was a man who was crucified. This man, Jesus, was crucified between two thieves.

What makes Jesus’ death different from the deaths of the two thieves?
Many people have been crucified throughout the centuries, so dying on a cross does not make Jesus different. Jesus’ death was different is because He was God in the flesh. Many religions of the world worship a god or god’s, but the God of Christianity was the only God who came to earth to die for us. God desires that all men be saved. He cares about your future and does not want you to perish in your sins.

Why did Jesus have to die?
God created Adam and Eve in His own image, meaning they were holy and without sin. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden by eating the forbidden fruit, man was separated from God because of sin. God is holy and cannot be in the presence of sin. We are all born in the image of Adam, so we are born in sin. The only way that sin can be forgiven is through a sacrifice or the shedding of blood. God sent His own Son to earth to die (shed His blood as a sacrifice) so that the world could receive salvation from sin. No one can go to heaven unless he/she accepts Jesus sacrificial death. All sin, even a white lie, is punishable by death, but Jesus took your punishment. If you accept His free gift of salvation, you will be released from your guilt of sin. God will grant you eternal life so when you die you will go to heaven.

“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.

How can I have this free gift of salvation?

1. Repent of your sin, by asking the Lord’s forgiveness through the shed blood of Jesus.
   “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus” Acts 3:19-20 (NIV).
   “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel”   Mark 1:15 (NASB).
2. Ask the Lord for this free gift of salvation.
   “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23 (NASB).
   “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13 (NASB).
   “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10:9 (NASB).
3. Now you will receive the Holy Spirit who will give you hope, joy and peace.
   “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13 (NASB).