Christmas:when the grace of God appeared

As this article goes to print, we are very close to celebrating the birth of Jesus, called the Christ. Indeed, by this time many of you have had family Christmas celebrations, or perhaps school or work celebrations, attended or watched concerts, and more. Many readers are well aware of the Christmas account, but for those who are not, look in the Bible’s New Testament book of St. Luke, chapter 2 (although one ought also to read Luke’s first chapter).
There you will find the background and leadup to the birth narrative that will explain some of the imagery of the season. This will explain the depictions of shepherds, angels, sheep, stable, and baby lying in a feeding trough for animals, guarded by a man and a woman.
Over the years I have grown fond of a verse in the New Testament letter from St. Paul to Titus, which says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people…” (Titus 2:11) This was his way of referring to what Christmas brought about, namely the birth of the Son of God in human flesh. This Son of God, Jesus (whose name meant ‘Savior’ in their language), was totally unstained by sin. The witness of God’s Word is that Jesus Christ endured temptation (as do we), but lived an entirely righteous and obedient life, that He might become OUR substitute. But I am getting ahead of myself…
What was accomplished by this birth that will be celebrated in just a few days? So much that it can really be said that His was “THE life that changed the world.” But HOW did it change the world, and what became different?
A Lutheran theologian named Herman Sasse said it well: “The one characteristic that distinguishes the Christian religion from all other religions in the world [is the] forgiveness of sins.” This is the precious treasure of the Gospel that belongs to all Christians.
So, how did a birth like Christ’s bring about forgiveness of sins? Well, not just His birth, but a whole lot more. There was the His entire obedience to His Father’s Law and will. He would conduct a ministry of teaching and preaching, calling mankind to repent and to turn from sin. He would teach about the way God’s reign and rule would look differently than most people expected. He would teach about our loving heavenly Father who provides for us, knowing our needs even before we lodge our requests before Him in prayer.

But the real activity that brought us forgiveness of sins is that Christ willingly allowed Himself to be hung upon a cross of wood in the Roman manner of execution. He really died.
And God had predicted this ahead of time, through the prophet Isaiah: ‘All we, like sheep, have gone astray, and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.’ (Is. 53:6) The prophet Zecharia had predicted, ‘They will look upon Hom whom they have pieced.’ (Zech. 12:10) The prophet David predicted that this Savior’s hands and feet would be pierced, and that others would gamble for His clothing. (Psalm 22)
This child born at Christmas was the perfect substitutionary sin-offering to atone for our sins that had been promised. And then Christ rose from the dead, demonstrating His authority and power over sin, death, hell, and Satan! This brought us the forgiveness of sins, which the Bible asserts can be obtained in NO other way!
This saving, by this Savior, Jesus Christ, forgives sins, reconciles us to God, and opened up the way of eternal life to us!
Only the forgiveness of sins Christ has earned (and freely gives by faith) can reconcile human beings to a just and holy God. This is good news! This is Grace (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense). And this is the importance of Christmas: It’s when ‘the grace of God appeared!’ Merry Christmas!
Rev. Dr. Paul R. Winningham is pastor of Grace Lutheran and Zion Lutheran Churches in Uniontown and Longtown.