The Real Reason For Christmas
John 17:1-3
Beyond the Gifts: Discovering the True Purpose of Christmas
Have you ever wondered what Christmas is really all about? Beyond the twinkling lights, festive decorations, and carefully wrapped presents, there’s a deeper meaning that often gets lost in the seasonal rush. When I say “Christmas,” what I mean—what we as believers should mean—is celebrating that Christ came to earth as a man.
The Promise Fulfilled
All the way back in Genesis 3:15, God promised after the fall of man, after sin and sin’s curse entered our broken world, that “there would be offspring of a woman that would come and would crush the head of the serpent,” defeating sin, death, and hell for those who believe. Christmas is the celebration of that promise being fulfilled.
In John 17:1-3, Jesus reveals three profound reasons for His coming—the real reasons for Christmas—as He prays just before facing the cross.
To Magnify God
“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you'” (John 17:1).
The first reason for Christmas is to magnify God. But what does it mean to glorify God? He doesn’t need us to build Him up. Rather, it means that we need to understand Him more. When we glorify God, we’re not making Him bigger—our vision of Him becomes bigger.
It’s like a mother gazing at her newborn baby. Have you ever watched a new mother with her child? There’s nothing like it. Despite all the pain that happened just minutes before, when they gaze at that child, it’s just deep love. The more they look at that baby they so adore, the deeper they fall in love. That’s what glorifying God is about—looking deeply at what it means that Jesus came to earth for us, and falling more deeply in love with Him.
To Gift Eternal Life
“Since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him” (John 17:2).
The second reason for Christmas is for Jesus to gift eternal life. He gifted it to us. We didn’t deserve it. We can’t earn it. For thousands of years in the Old Testament, God’s people were given rules and expectations that ultimately showed them they couldn’t save themselves. The point wasn’t to say, “We’ve earned it,” but to realize, “God, I can only depend on your grace.”
Jesus came to deliver Himself, taking on the weight of sin, not because He had to, but because His Father asked Him to. The greatest thing you can do to glorify God and be more like Him today is not to rule over everybody, but to serve others with complete love, compassion, and grace. That is who Jesus is.
To Offer Relationship with God
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).
The final reason for Christmas is for believers to enjoy a personal relationship with God. Eternal life isn’t just about living somewhere forever—it’s about knowing God deeply. This isn’t just knowing about Him, like saying, “I know the president.” It’s knowing Him like I know my children—deeply, daily, knowing what they love and what they can’t stand.
If you want life that’s fulfilling, joyful, and peaceful, you have to know Jesus. That’s the kind of life He’s offering.
Putting It Into Practice
As we navigate this Christmas season—whether you’re deep in the preparations or feeling behind—ask yourself one question: Is what I’m doing, what I’m spending my energy and time on, magnifying Christ in my thoughts, my family, and my life?
If not, what needs to change? Many of our traditions aren’t bad things, but we should consider: Are they leading me to see Christ deeper and more clearly? Is my love for Him growing? Or are these things actually pulling me away from the real reason for this season?
This Christmas, let’s commit to knowing Him more deeply and communicating Him more clearly to those around us—our children, parents, siblings, and spouses. May we magnify Him, not because He needs to be bigger, but because we need to see Him more clearly.
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A Word Centered Church
We hope you enjoyed the sermon and would love to see you in person. Plan your visit to Community Baptist Church in Spring Hill, Tennessee today!