A Baby Born to Die

What is the meaning of Christmas? This is a question I asked many people when I lived in Asia. Christmas is observed in many places around the world. Many countries have a basic idea of Western traditions such as Christmas trees and music. Yet, as you might imagine, I received many different answers to this question: Santa Claus, visiting family, giving gifts, and more.

No one mentioned the birth of a baby born to die.

Matthew, one of Jesus’ disciples, begins his account of the good news of Jesus with an account of his birth. In a pivotal moment, an angel visits Joseph to tell him to name the baby in Mary’s womb Jesus. Then he adds, “for he will save his people from their sins.”

Later in his account Matthew writes that Jesus, as he was about to go to Jerusalem to be crucified on the cross, three times tells his disciples that he will be killed and rise from the dead (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19).

Jesus knew his mission. He came, God born as one of us, to die. He also taught, healed, and made disciples. But he came to be a sacrifice for sin.

The writer of the book of Hebrews says: “he (Jesus) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (9:26).

What is the meaning of Christmas? Jesus came to be a sacrifice for sin. So this year, as we celebrate our many Christmas traditions, let us also remember that we celebrate a baby born to die.

Father in heaven, thank you for sending your Son to save us from our sins. We bow the knee of our hearts in worship because of this truth. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Jesus came for you, for your sins, to put them away. How will you respond when you feel tempted to sin?