Joy to the World: Christ Was Born

Luke 2:1-14 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar August, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) All all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David.) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were more afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto us is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothing, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

"Joy to the World" is one of the most popular Christmas hymns we sing during the Christmas season.  Many churches will sing that song during the Christmas season.  I've heard choirs perform that song.  Many symphony orchestras during the Christmas season will perform that beautiful hymn.  I enjoy singing that song.  As much as I enjoy that song, that song isn't a Christmas song.  If you listen to the words of that song, you'll notice that song doesn't speak of the birth of Christ.  It speaks of his second coming when he establishes his kingdom upon his earth.  That event will take place during the Millennial Reign.  One of these days Christ will come to this earth a second time and he'll establish his kingdom and rule with a rod of iron.   When I speak of the Second Coming, I'm not referencing the pre-tribulational rapture where in the twinkling of an eye those that are dead in Christ will rise from the grave and all those saints that are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds.  (I Thessalonians 4:16,17).  Christ's Second Coming will take place following the seven years of Great Tribulation upon this earth.  Once Christ comes back, he will establish his kingdom and rule and reign upon this earth.  (Revelation 19:11-17).

Even though this wonderful hymn isn't a Christmas song, it's still appropriate to sing this song during the Christmas season because it was a joyous occasion when Christ was born into this world.  Even though there are some in religious circles that don't believe in celebrating Christmas this time of year, we have a reason to as Christians.  Because Christ was born into this world as a babe in a manger, mankind had something to look forward to.  Whether or not one thinks celebrating Christ's birth isn't significant, the very fact that he was born meant that one day he would grow up to become a man and that one day he would walk up Calvary's hill to die for the sins of mankind.  That's worth rejoicing.  Because of that very fact, we can sing "Joy to the World" because there was hope for mankind.  There was hope that mankind could be redeemed by this blessed Saviour that had come into the world.  That's something to rejoice in.  We can sing "Joy to the World" because (1) Christ was born, (2) Christ died on the Cross for the sins of mankind, and (3) because Christ is coming again.  Those are three legitimate reasons why we can see that blessed hymn during the Christmas season.

Why did Jesus have to come into this world to die for the sins of mankind?  It was because of the Fall of mankind.  If you read in Genesis chapter 3 you read where Eve was tempted by the Serpent which was Satan.  God told Adam that he could eat of every tree except one: that was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  As it turned out Eve was deceived and partook of the fruit and Adam also partook of the fruit but wasn't deceived.  As a result of Adam's disobedience, mankind fell from the state of innocency.  The whole world was plunged into sin as a result of Adam's disobedience.  It became imperative that there be a blood sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind.  Sin breaks man's fellowship from God.  God made a provision so man could have fellowship with God.  God made a promise to Eve that one day a Saviour would come and bruise Satan's heels.  For the next four thousand years, mankind was waiting for the Saviour to be born upon this earth.  Isaiah 9:6 foretold of a Saviour coming to this earth.  That promise was fulfilled in Matthew 2 and Luke 2 when Jesus was born to this earth.  He came into this world through the virgin Mary.  Mary was impregnated by the Holy Ghost.  Christ was born into this world and the Wise Men came to see the Christ child.  They brought gifts such as gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

I won't continue on with the Christmas story but it was a joyous day that Christ was born into this world.  It's because of Christ's birth as a babe in the flesh that one day he would grow up and die upon Calvary's cross upon Golgatha's hill.  If there wasn't a birth, then there never could be a death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  I've made mention of that repeatedly.  Even though there's no commandment from scripture to celebrate Christ's birth, we should still remember his birth because that was a foretelling of later events in regards to the life of Christ upon this earth.  That's very significant spiritually.  It's a historical fact that Jesus was born into this world.  It's a historical fact that Jesus died upon Calvary's cross.  It's a spiritual fact that Jesus rose from the grave and that the provision was made to atone for the sins of mankind.  I'm thankful for that gift.  It's because of what Jesus did on Calvary is why we can celebrate Christmas.  Mankind has the opportunity to be redeemed from sin and I'm thankful that opportunity is still availed to us today.