By Sr. Pr. Valson Abraham

A baby born among cattle and goats-this is the central drama of the first Christmas.   But why has the story continued for more than two thousand years? After all, babies  are born all the time.

There are 109 distinct prophecies about Jesus written hundreds of years before his birth. The possibility of one person fulfilling 10 of them would be like covering the state of Texas (267,339 square miles) one foot deep with silver dollars, then flying over the state in a helicopter and while blindfolded, reaching into those dollars and picking up a single marked coin.

There is a deeper reason. This deeper story is the real "reason for the season."

The story of Jesus involves not only who he was before his birth, but also what he was to do later. To this day, we have not yet heard the end of Jesus' story.

He was the Pre-Existent One, that is, God. He came to earth as a human being. But some may say that humanity doesn't fit with divinity. Also, he had such ordinary parents. If Jesus were God, why did the mighty angels, who had seen and known God in heaven, announce his coming to humble shepherds? Why didn't they seek out the king or other distinguished leaders of the day instead of a pitiful band of shepherds?

With these seeming contradictions, the story of Jesus' birth actually reveals the character of God. God creates galaxies and planets. But he is not distant, impersonal and fearsome. By coming as an ordinary baby and announcing his coming to ordinary people, he shows that he is approachable. He has made the first move and awaits our response.

He could have come with the power that created the galaxies, but that would have frightened everybody. Instead, He came in peace-as a helpless baby. We have no reason to be afraid.

Jesus grew up. During his 33 years on earth, he experienced the weaknesses and temptations we all face. But he did not sin. Even his enemies found no scandal in him. He demonstrated how we all ought to live.

The contrast between Jesus' life and that of others shows how weak and sinful we are. We know the law of karma-that we reap what we sow. We need and want forgiveness for our failure and sins, but can God, the Perfect One, really forgive us?

Jesus shows He is God, by answering this question differently than we might expect. The answer came when His enemies put Him to death on a cross, a gruesome way to kill anyone. After three days, he rose from the dead and was seen by more than 500 people at once. After that, He could have destroyed His enemies. Instead, He offered forgiveness-if they would take it. One of actually did--the Apostle Paul.

Today, Jesus offers forgiveness of sins to you and me as He did to His enemies. It is His Christmas gift to us.

The law of karma is true only if God is an impersonal force. But Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection demonstrate that God is not a force. He thinks, acts, and deeply loves each of us.

Jesus offers us God's peace and forgiveness. This is a great gift that Jesus offers, and it is for us to trust Him and receive it from Him.

One day, Jesus will return to earth to make peace on earth perfect and complete. Today, Jesus is waiting for us to choose Him.

When we do, we discover that we also become part of the Christmas story.
 

Rev. Dr. T. Valson Abraham is the Founder/President of India Gospel Outreach www.indiago.org and also the founding senior pastor of India Christian Assembly in Norwalk which meets at Norwalk United Methodist Church, 13000 San Antonio Drive, Norwalk , CA 90650. Sunday services are at 5 PM.

Call 562.824.0137 for more information or visit www.icalosangeles.com.