Why Was Jesus Born?

We all love Christmas. We love celebrating the birth of Christ. And it’s wonderful, of course. But when you think about Jesus’ birth, do you ever spend time thinking about why Jesus was born? Really meditating on that fact. As great as the birth of Jesus is, there is a distinct reason why.

That reason is maybe given most clearly in the Creed. Have you ever noticed how quickly the sequence of events goes in the second article of the Apostles’ Creed? He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. We have His conception, His birth, and then it jumps right to the events of His Passion, His suffering and death.

There is the reason He was born. He was born to die. It’s striking that we have His birth and His life and Ministry not referred to but rather a jump right to His suffering and death. His life and Ministry is of course included in His birth. The fact that He was born and then suffered and died confesses that He also lived, accomplishing what we are unable to do: live in perfect righteousness under God’s Law. But it is His suffering and death that is the focal point of His life and Ministry. What He came to do was die for the sins of the world. As He hung on the cross He cried out: “It is finished.” It is accomplished. Salvation has come to completion. He came in order to die on that cross so that life may be given to the world.

Something to think about as we prepare to enter Advent and our preparation for the celebration of His birth.