Why Christmas is Merry

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day mark a transformational event in the history of humanity. For centuries upon centuries, people all around the world have paused, gathered and celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, God-Incarnate, God WITH Us. Yes, indeed, God becoming Man through the person of Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. It is this world-shattering, life-altering event that puts the Merry into Merry Christmas.

In Scripture, Isaiah prophesies:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

Foretold throughout the Bible, Christ’s First Advent ultimately reconciles us to our Creator from whom we were separated by sin since the days of Adam and Eve.

All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;

Isaiah 53:6a (ESV)

God became Man to rescue and redeem us. Through Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate on Christmas, you and I can find the forgiveness and redemption we so desperately need and can not achieve by our own means. You see, we are born with a God-sized problem that only a true God can solve. No matter how hard we try or how much we work at it, we always fall short.

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…

Romans 3:22b-3:24

Not so with Jesus Christ. The Son of God left his throne in Heaven to live the life of a humble servant, resisting temptation and ultimately overcoming death. Jesus was able to live the perfect life you and I are incapable of living. He took on our sins and the penalty of our transgressions, clothing us with His Righteousness.

But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)

Because of this, all who confess and repent, all who believe and put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be forgiven of their sins and ultimately receive eternal life–living in the presence of the Lord forever. THIS IS GOOD NEWS! This is something to rejoice! This is something to celebrate! Indeed…

The birth of Jesus Christ is what puts the MERRY into Merry Christmas.