the difference that day made

Photo by Tim Douglas

In “the difference that day made” Jefferson Vann shares some thoughts about the meaning of Christmas.

I googled the words “what Christmas means” this morning. The first of 39,900,000 results was a page featuring the lyrics to a song. I was deeply disappointed with that song because it missed the significance of Christmas. It never even mentioned Jesus.

As we are approaching that holiday again, I thought it might be appropriate for me to share a few words about why I think that the day Jesus was born was very significant. That day did make a difference.

The angel who spoke to the shepherds that day told them that “Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

Those shepherds needed a Savior. Their nation needed a Savior. Their world needed a Savior.

People who don’t really understand Christmas do not realize that they are lost without a Savior. Like those shepherds, you and I have been born lost. We need to be delivered from our lost condition, a condition that makes life itself a terminal illness. Our loss means innate sinfulness, separation from God, mortality, and eventual death.

Those shepherds were not bad people. They were just lost people. They needed something that they could not achieve themselves. They needed outside help. But their condition was universal. There was no one on earth who could save them.

That day came. The day that help came from outside the parameters of this planet was the day we celebrate as Christmas Day. The angel told them that “Today your Savior is born.” The shepherds themselves did absolutely nothing to make that day happen. They were just washing their socks by night.

Their heavenly Father chose to bless them that day. He chose to reveal that the day had come. He chose the shepherds to break the news to others. The shepherds chose to believe what God had done. They chose to go find this child in Bethlehem. They chose to get the word out to the others in Bethlehem. They chose to worship Christ and praise God for what he had done. Bless those shepherds, and bless everyone who understands and shares the difference that day made.

The message of Christmas is not the whole message God has for us. The message is “Today your Savior is born.” There was more that our heavenly Father planned to do through the life and ministry of his unique Son. The Act of Christmas is only Act One.

Act two is celebrated at Easter. In the Garden of Gethsemane, just prior to his arrest, trial and crucifixion, Jesus prayed “what should I say? 'Father, deliver me from this hour'? No, but for this very reason I have come to this hour” (John 12:27). Jesus died the death we deserve so that we can experience the permanent life he promised. Christmas was necessary because we could not have been saved by an angel. We cannot be saved by words in a book. It took a sinless man to die on the cross as our sacrifice.

Act Three is called the end of the world, which will actually be the beginning of the new world. You see, When Pilate asked Jesus if he was a king, he answered in the affirmative. He told Pilate that “For this reason I was born” (John 18:37). The difference Christmas made will not be complete until Jesus reigns as king. Has the Christmas play begun Act Three for you? Is he your king?

Someday every knee will bow to Christ. His subjects will bow in joy. His enemies will bow in shame and defeat as they anticipate their final destruction in the lake of fire. Today, you and I make the choice of which group we will be in.

The sad fact for many is that they are willing to celebrate Christmas because of what happened in Act One, but they ignore the cross and refuse to submit to the coming king. Those who have ignored Act Two are unprepared for Act Three. Don’t let this happen to you!

Like every day, Christmas Day comes and goes. But the Bible speaks of a day called the “last day.” This is the day that the dead “will come back to life again” (John 11:24). Jesus said that those who reject him will be judged “at the last day” (John 12:48). Are you prepared for that day? Don’t just celebrate the first day – the day Christ was born. Get ready for the last day – the day he will return!

I love you. Have a safe and sanctified Christmas!

Rev. Jefferson Vann, Delco, North Carolina, USA.