For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17).
We are fast approaching the time on our calendar that is said to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” In fact, later this month we will celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the most wonderful person to ever walk the earth. His name was Jesus. God sent His Son into the world through the virgin Mary who conceived Him by the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit!
God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom.8:3-4). The essence of Christmas is God became a man and dwelt among us. The Second Person of the Holy Trinity, God the Son who existed from all eternity took upon Himself human flesh! He was made like us in every aspect except that He was not sinful. God sent Him in the “likeness” of sinful flesh in order to deal with our sins. Since we as “humans” sinned, a human must die for those sins if we are to be forgiven. Jesus Christ died as a sin offering taking away the sins of all those who would believe in Him. God became a Man without ceasing to be God that He might die as a man for our sins and provide eternal life as a gift to all who receive it. When the angel of the Lord announced to Joseph that Mary would have a child he said, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).