^“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

The Christian faith is not like an à la carte menu in a restaurant. We cannot pick and choose from it what we like. Millions this week have thought about the birth of Christ and are happy to sing of the child born at Bethlehem. However, so few are interested in the man who died at Calvary. To put it very simply they do not link Christmas with Easter.

We do not look upon children when they are born and immediately think, one day this child will day. But the birth of Christ was an exception. He chose to be born into the world. He came from heaven to earth, from eternity to time, from the throne to the manger. And he did this on behalf of Adam’s race because we have enemies that cannot overcome by ourselves – sin and death.

Modern man has largely fallen under the spell of evolution. This lie affirms that mankind was not created in the image of God but has evolved from the beasts. Man is not fallen but is on a journey that sees him developing and improving over millions of years. There is no accountability to a Creator and no sin that has to be answered for. And in this thinking, there is room for the babe of Bethlehem for does it not show how great the human race is if God was pleased to dwell with men?

But the angel who announced His birth was unequivocal in his message. Christ, the Lord came to be a Saviour. In this Christmas week, can we ask do you have a Saviour? Are you delivered from your sins? Do you have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ? This is the real meaning of Christmas.

When we think of the death of Christ, it is best to allow the bible to explain its meaning. Here are some verses from the New Testament:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16,17

“God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5: 21

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:5,6

 ^“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18

^“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2;14,15

“But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Hebrews 9:26

“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” 1 John 4:14