Jack Hibbs : Most Christians Haven’t Heard This About Christmas
Most Christians Haven’t Heard This About Christmas
This message brings us face to face with the historical reality and spiritual significance of the Christmas story, rooted in real places, real people, and documented events. Nazareth, Bethlehem, Joseph, Caesar Augustus, and the region of Judea are not symbolic ideas but actual locations and figures recorded in history. As we reflect on these names, we must understand that the Bible is not presenting a myth or legend but a carefully preserved account based on eyewitness testimony. The Gospel narratives, especially those written by Luke, are structured in a way that would stand even under legal examination. What we read in Scripture carries the weight of documented evidence and credible investigation.
This leads us to the essential question: why Christmas, why the Bible, why Jesus Christ, and why the prophecies surrounding His birth? These are not casual questions but foundational ones that invite deep reflection. The purpose of this teaching is not only to inform but to lead every listener toward a genuine encounter with truth. God desires that each person would come to know Jesus Christ personally, and that begins with a willingness to think deeply, to seek sincerely, and to listen carefully to His voice.
There is also a spiritual reality that cannot be ignored. The message of Christmas carries such power and truth that forces opposed to God continually attempt to silence it. Christmas is often reduced to decorations, gifts, and traditions, but its true meaning goes far beyond these things. At its core, Christmas answers the question of why God intervened in human history. It is about the arrival of Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
The Gospel of Luke, written by a physician and careful investigator, provides a detailed and orderly account of these events. Luke gathered information from eyewitnesses, people who personally experienced the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. His writings emphasize certainty, clarity, and truth. In Acts chapter 1, Luke explains that Jesus presented Himself alive after His suffering with many infallible proofs, confirming that these events were not imagined but historically verifiable. This is why the Christian faith is grounded not only in belief but also in evidence.
The account of the angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah and later to Mary reveals the beginning of God’s unfolding plan. Despite human doubt and limitation, God’s promises move forward with certainty. The announcement of John the Baptist’s birth, followed by the miraculous conception of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, demonstrates that nothing is impossible with God. Mary’s response reflects humility and faith, showing a heart willing to trust in God’s word even without fully understanding it.
As the narrative continues, we see the deep connection between these events and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Jesus is declared to be the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and the rightful heir to the throne of David. His kingdom is described as eternal, without end, reinforcing the divine nature of His mission. These truths align perfectly with earlier Scriptures, confirming that the birth of Christ was not an isolated event but the culmination of God’s plan revealed throughout history.
The birth of John the Baptist further prepares the way, as he is called to be a prophet who would lead people toward repentance and the knowledge of salvation. His father Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesies about redemption, mercy, and the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. This moment highlights the continuity of God’s work, from Abraham to the coming of Christ, showing that God’s faithfulness spans generations.
When we arrive at the account of Caesar Augustus issuing a decree for a census, we see how even political events serve God’s greater purpose. Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in the city of David. These details remind us that God works through both the ordinary and the extraordinary to accomplish His will.
All of this brings us back to the central question: why Christmas? The answer is clear and powerful. Christmas exists because of love. It is the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity. It was not created by human tradition but given by God Himself. The foundation of Christmas is found in the truth that God loved the world so deeply that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life.
This message is not about religion or ritual. It is about a relationship with the living God. Through Jesus Christ, God entered human history, took on human form, and experienced the realities of life, including suffering, rejection, and death. His mission was not simply to observe humanity but to rescue it. This was not a recovery mission but a rescue mission, demonstrating the depth of God’s commitment to redeem His creation.
The life and sacrifice of Jesus reveal the true nature of God’s love. It is not distant or abstract but active and present. Even today, God continues to demonstrate His love, inviting every person to respond. Christmas is the visible expression of that invitation. It calls each individual to recognize their need for salvation and to accept the gift of grace offered through Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, Christmas is about transformation. It is about moving from darkness into light, from confusion into truth, and from separation into relationship with God. The message remains as powerful today as it was when it was first proclaimed. God has entered our world, stepped into our struggles, and made a way for us to know Him.
That is why Christmas matters. It is not just a celebration. It is the revelation of God’s love, the fulfillment of His promises, and the invitation to eternal life through Jesus Christ.
