Charles Stanley - The Significance of the Birth of Jesus

What do you think about when you view a nativity display at Christmastime? While many feel awe or warm happiness at the sight, some see a simple holiday decoration, set up and taken down without much thought. Unbelievers may even take offense because they’ve rejected the baby portrayed there. But regardless of reaction, nothing can ever erase the impact of Jesus’ life on the world.

Not that long ago, manger scenes were a common sight during the Christmas season, but today they have become a political issue and a target of attack by those who hate Christianity. Court cases and laws demanding the elimination of nativity scenes are really an attempt to remove Christ Himself. The only reason people are offended is because they’ve rejected the baby portrayed there, but their attempts can never erase the impact of Jesus’ life on the world.

The humble setting of a stable and the ordinary people gathered around the baby in the manger don’t readily convey the significance of the most important birth in human history. This child was the Son of God who came to earth as a baby to live among us. He grew up like an ordinary child and in adulthood worked as a carpenter until He began His ministry.

The Son of God came on Christmas to fulfill His Father’s plan of redemption for mankind. For those of us who know Jesus as Savior and Lord, the nativity is a reminder of our salvation. We never have to fear death because our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. This blessed assurance has nothing to do with what we have done to merit salvation but only what Christ did to rescue us from sin and condemnation. All we did was respond with faith to the message of the gospel, which began pictorially in the simple setting of His birth.