The saying is trustworthy
and deserving of full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners.
1 Timothy 1:15

Quick, what day is Julius Caesar’s birthday?

How about Gandhi’s birthday? Joan of Arc? Napoleon? Franklin Delano Roosevelt? Steve Jobs?

About 385,000 people will be born today. That date will be remembered by a handful of family members and friends who will acknowledge it each year with a cake, a song, and some presents.

And one day, the date will be carved into a grave marker or printed in an obituary.

And then forgotten.

Even if one of the babies born today should grow up to be a captain of industry or a great statesman, a military hero, or a famous athlete, it’s a virtual certainty that their birthday will not be widely known or celebrated during their lifetime or beyond.

But the birth of a Jewish Rabbi who lived 2,000 years ago is remembered and celebrated every year by millions of people.

Why? Why does the world pause to commemorate His birth?

It’s not because He was a great moral teacher. We’ve had hundreds of those, and no one takes any special note of his or her birthday.

It’s not because He was a great political leader. He claimed to be a king, and the claim was mocked as He was being put to death.

The single distinguishing event of His life that is the reason that people put up lights and decorate trees and bake cookies and shop for gifts—that single event that is the reason why we remember His birth…

… is His death. And what happened next.

As you sing a carol or take a second helping of mashed potatoes at your holiday dinner this year, remember that the reason His birthday is a holiday is because of what he accomplished through His death and His resurrection.

If it weren’t for the resurrection of Jesus, December 25 would be just another winter day. The reason we celebrate Christmas is because of Easter.

Prayer: Father, thank you for demonstrating Your great love for us by sending Your Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.