What is Christmas, if not the beginning of our salvation? Each year I hear the story of Jesus’ birth, and I sometimes realize I don’t give it the reverence it deserves. Let me get this straight: God—the Creator of the universe, the One who spoke the universe into existence, the Author of dimensions and heavens beyond imagination—sent His Son to save us.
This same God who formed the trillions of stars, who governs what is seen and unseen, placed His Son in a manger. The manger, the shepherds, the star in the sky, the journey of the wise men—it can feel almost ordinary when compared to the magnitude of the miracle taking place. And yet, maybe that’s part of the miracle: that Heaven wrapped itself in humility so humanity could draw close.
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6–8
I believe—no, I know—that God gave us exactly what we needed: a Messiah to lead us home. Without Him, we wander. Without Him, we remain lost in ourselves.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
Someone once asked me, “If a person lives and dies without ever knowing Jesus, what happens then?” My belief is that our life on earth is not the whole story. Our soul continues. God keeps pursuing us. With Jesus, we are given a glimpse of what we’re meant for—a taste of eternal love, of awakened living, of salvation from unconsciousness.
I love the Christmas story—but even more, I love what it begins. It is not the end of anything; it is the beginning of everything. It is the start of our walk toward the One who already walks toward us. On Christmas, we celebrate not just a birth, but the birth of our salvation.
So yes, it is the reason for the season. But even more, it is the reason for eternity. Let us not only see a day on the calendar, but the everlasting journey forward—toward Christ, toward home, toward the love that first came down to us.
