Jesus said,
"For this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name." -
John 12:27-28
Christmas
time conjures up so many sentimental images and memories in our minds. A large
family meal, red and green sweaters with little white snowflakes on them, and
the family gathered in the living room to hear the Christmas story in
Scripture. We hear of angels filling the sky singing to God’s glory. God is
glorified in sending His Son Jesus into our world as an infant in humble
settings on earth.
Jesus came
to earth as an infant for God’s glorious purpose. Jesus explains in John 12
that His coming suffering and execution makes God look great: “Father, glorify
Your name.” God is glorified in Jesus obeying God’s purpose in sending His Son
into the world.
For what
purpose did God send Jesus to suffer and die? How did this make God look great?
The Apostle
Paul knew our heavenly Father’s purpose to send His Son: “Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” God is glorified,
as the hymn “To God be the Glory” says, in Jesus saving “even the vilest
offender.”
Christmas,
the birth of our Lord and Savior, glorified God. Jesus was born for the purpose
of the hour of His suffering and death to save sinners. God displays His
greatness in saving sinners through Jesus, and by faith in Jesus we receive His
peace on earth and goodwill; divine joy forevermore as children in God’s
family.
So, as we
gather with our families this Christmas, let us remember the purpose of Jesus’
birth: to glorify God by His suffering and death to save sinners that we
receive the fullness of joy in God’s family, and life everlasting as Jesus
defeated death by His resurrection. Just as the angels sang, “Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”
Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending Jesus into our world, to bear
our guilt and sin to the cross, to die our death. What glorious purpose, and
what joy we receive in Your salvation! Glorify Your name in us. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
