This is the time of year when our minds are focused on the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. But it is easy to get caught up in all the trappings – to try and picture the manger and the animals, to try and hear the angels’ announcement, or to wonder what Joseph and Mary were thinking. The problem is when we think of Jesus’ Advent as an end in itself as if somehow the mere appearance of Jesus is enough to bring about a state of generic “niceness” in the world. We have to remember that Jesus came for a purpose: to save sinners and to defeat the one who had the power of death, the devil. At just the right time, the Bible tells us, Jesus came into the world, sent by the Father to redeem for Himself a people. When we think of Christmas, we cannot forget the cross. For it is because of the cross that Jesus was born a man, born under the law. We rejoice at Christmas because we are “Children Because of the Son” (Galatians 4:4-7).

I. God Sent Forth His Son
A. The Right Time
B. The Right Person
C. The Right Work

II. The Son Was Sent for Us
A. To Redeem Us
B. To Adopt Us
C. To Have a Relationship with Us

Questions for consideration: (1) What does the timing of Christ’s birth tell us about the nature of God? (2) Why is it important to look honestly at ourselves and our sin at Christmas? Why is that so difficult? (3) What is it about Christmas that can actually hide Jesus from us? What can we do to make sure we see Jesus in all His glory during Christmas?