INTRODUCTION
Christmas has a way of bringing people to church. Even people who don’t normally think much about church or the Bible still feel something during this season. There is something about Christmas that makes people want to go to church. Why? Because Christmas is more than just gifts, and decorations, and caroling songs. It is also about God sending His son in order to come close to His people.
When we come to church on Easter and on Christmas, we often come in our best dressed outfits. We want to come at our best! We want to bring our best! We come to show that we can clean up pretty well also! However, Jesus does not require us to clean ourselves up before coming to Him. He does not require us to have it all together in order to come to Him. He does not require us to be perfect to be fit to come to Him. Instead, what the arrival of the Messiah in a manger shows us is that Jesus is for everyone.
But to understand why Jesus ’arrival mattered so much, we have to look at what came before the nativity.
BEFORE THE ARRIVAL: GOD’S PROMISE
Long before Jesus was born, people were waiting. For centuries, God had been making promises to His people that one day He would send a Savior. Someone who would bring hope, forgiveness, and peace. Someone who would make things right again.
These promises were written down over hundreds of years. Different prophets, living in different generations, all pointing to the same truth: God was going to send a redeemer.
One of the clearest promises comes from the prophet Isaiah:
Isaiah 9:6 — “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
This promise told people to expect a child—but not an ordinary one. A child who would bring peace.
Another promise explained where this Savior would come from:
Micah 5:2 — “But you, Bethlehem…out of you will come for Me, one who will be ruler over Israel…”
So people were waiting.
Waiting for the child.
Waiting for the Savior.
Waiting for the King God had promised.
And then—after all that waiting—Jesus arrived.
That’s why Christmas is such a big deal. It’s not just the story of a baby being born. It’s the moment when God finally said, “its time.” And it was at that time that the long awaited Messiah had arrived. This was a big deal!! And when you read through the nativity story, you see how it is still a big deal today. Let’s talk about three reasons why the arrival of Jesus still matters to you today:
1. JESUS CAME FOR EVERYONE
When Jesus was born, God made a very intentional choice about how the news would be announced. He didn’t go first to kings, government leaders, or religious experts. Instead, the Bible tells us that angels appeared to shepherds—ordinary people who were working a normal job, out in the fields at night.
The angel said:
“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today… a Savior has been born to you.” — (Luke 2:10-11)
Not for some people, not for most people, but for all people.
From the very beginning, God wanted everyone to know that Jesus did not come for a select group. He didn’t come only for people who were wealthy, powerful, educated, or religious. He came for everyday people living everyday lives.
Shepherds were not considered important or influential in society. In fact, many people looked down on them. Yet God chose them to hear the announcement first. That tells us that He does not measure people the way the world does. He does not overlook people who feel ordinary, unseen, or unimportant.
Later, we see the same message reinforced when wise men (outsiders from a different land) also come looking for Jesus (Matthew 2:1–11). These wise men are also referred to as “Magi” in Matthew 2. These Magi could have been scholars or astrologers from the East (Persia/ Babylon). These people studied stars, signs, and ancient writings. They were considered outsiders of the Jewish faith, nor did they grow up with all the Jewish customs and laws.
They didn’t grow up with the same background or beliefs, yet they were welcomed to come to Jesus as well. Different people, different backgrounds, same invitation.
This shows us that Jesus came for everyone—people from all backgrounds, all walks of life, and all stages of faith. No one was too far away. No one was excluded.
The Christmas story would not be the same without Jesus in it. In the same way, Christmas is not the same today without Jesus in it. Will Jesus be with you for Christmas this season? If so, Jesus made room for everyone to come. Why? Because He came for everyone. Therefore, let us make room in our hearts for others to this Christmas because Jesus came for them as well.
2. PEOPLE CAME TO JESUS JUST AS THEY WERE
Once the invitation was given, the response was simple.
When the shepherds heard the news, they didn’t overthink it. The Bible doesn’t say they questioned whether they were worthy or prepared. It simply says they looked at each other and said, “Let’s go.” And they went.
Luke 2:15-16
“15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.”
They didn’t change first.
They didn’t prepare first.
They didn’t qualify first.
They came.
Later, the wise men responded the same way. They didn’t have full understanding. They didn’t have all the answers. They followed the star they had, and it led them straight to where Jesus was. The Bible says that they rejoiced when they arrived.
Matthew 2:11 — “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.”
Again, these are people from the East! These were not jews, these were gentiles. And yet, not only were they welcomed, but they fell down and worshipped Jesus. Pretty cool! But they did not have to change who they were to fit in the “Jewish way,” but they came as they were.
This matters because it shows us that Jesus doesn’t place conditions on how people come to Him. He doesn’t say, “Fix your life first,” or “Know more first,” or “Be better first.” Jesus was not expecting people to be perfect (and neither should we).
The Christmas story shows us that coming to Jesus comes before change, not after it. Jesus wants you to come as you are. Come.
3. THE INVITATION IS STILL OPEN: COME TO JESUS
After Jesus arrived, something important became clear very quickly: the invitation didn’t stop with the shepherds or the wise men. What began at the manger continued throughout Jesus ’life.
Jesus consistently invited people to come to Him.
Matthew 11:28 — “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
An invitation was extended to people at the arrival of Jesus, and people came, people experienced Jesus, and people left changed. Jesus continued that invitation throughout His life and into His ministry. He said to all people, “come to me!” And people came!
People came sick, and they left healed.
People came broken, and they left mended.
People came in despair, and they left with hope.
People came lost, and in Christ they were found.
Today, Jesus continues to extend that same invitation. Today is saying, “Come to me…” Let me encourage you, come to Jesus today! Lay down your heavy burdens and come to Him. The best thing we can do is come to Jesus! Let us come to Him and let us return to Him. Allow His love and forgiveness to wash over you, receive His grace and His mercy, and allow the Holy Spirt to transform you from the inside out.
John 6:37 — “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
Jesus makes it clear that anyone who comes to Him will not be turned away. Allow the burdens of your heart and your life to be left at the feet of Jesus and receive the portion that He has for you today.
The best gift we can give this Christmas is Jesus in our heart and an invitation for others to come to Jesus as well. Let me encourage you, extend an invitation to your loved ones this season.
TAKEAWAYS
- 1. Come to Jesus (receive His invitation)
- • Regardless of where you are with Christ, come to Him
- • Come as you are, you don’t have to get yourself all together
- • Receive His free gift of salvation and receive His forgiveness
- • Allow His grace to trade your burdens with His peace
- • Receive His invitation today
- 2. You don’t have to be perfect to lead people to Jesus
- • The shepherds and the Magi came just as they were and they were not turned away
- • You don’t need to be perfect or have all the answers to lead your family and loved ones to Jesus
- • In the same way you come to Jesus as you are, go with Jesus as you are. Rely on His grace, His mercy, and His love to lead you with your loved ones.
- 3. Christmas is not the same without Jesus in it
- • The Christmas story was not the same without Jesus in the manger.
- • In the same way, Christmas is not the same without Jesus in it.
- • In light of all the gifts, family gatherings, and all the holiday cheer, be sure to make room for the reason for the season.
