The Why of Christmas

All around us are reminders that Christmas is here. Frankly, it seems to get earlier every year. I think I maybe even saw Christmas decorations for sale in August.

Even so, I love to hear those great Christian Christmas songs being played wherever I go. Suddenly I’m hearing the name of Jesus in public, and there’s something very special about that.

This month we talk a lot about the where and the what surrounding Jesus’ birth. But I want to focus for a moment on the why. Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem to save us from our sins.

In fact, Jesus revealed to a man named Zacchaeus the reason He came to this earth. When Jesus showed up in Jericho, it was a big deal. Zacchaeus couldn’t see above the crowd, but no one wanted anything to do with him because he was a tax collector. That means he took advantage of people. He effectively ripped them off. Therefore, he didn’t have a friend in town.

So Zacchaeus climbed a tree to get a view of Jesus. Imagine his shock when Jesus stopped, looked up, and called him by name. Jesus said, “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today” (Luke 19:5 NLT).

After all, how can you reach a sinner if you don’t spend some time with him? That day Zacchaeus walked into his home a sinner, and he walked out a saint. And that is what spending time with Jesus will do.

There in the home of Zacchaeus, Jesus revealed the reason He came. He said, “Salvation has come to this home today. . . . For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (verses 9–10 NLT).

That’s why Jesus came—to seek and save lost people.