“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son … a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. … The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (John 3:16; Luke 2:32; 1 John 3:8, ESV)
First, Christmas makes a difference because God’s greatest love-gift was given so that we might be saved. That love was given in the form of His Son, Jesus, who came in flesh, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again from the dead. This is the greatest love in history. How long is God’s love? Long enough to last forever. How wide is God’s love? Wide enough to be everywhere. How deep is God’s love? Deep enough to handle any hurt or problem. How high is God’s love? High enough to lift us from failure. Corrie and Betsy ten Boom were prisoners in Auschwitz. One day in misery Corrie cried out, “This place is the pit of hell!” Betsy, her sister, said, “Corrie, there is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” Jesus is the gift of salvation.
Second, Christmas makes a difference because Christ Jesus came to be the light and revelation of God to both Jews and Gentiles. Jesus’ incarnation shattered myths about God. He shattered the myth that God is distant and detached. Jesus exploded the myth that God is uncaring and unconcerned. He nullified the myth that God is unmerciful, some kind of tyrant. He came to reveal the love of God to all of us. Jesus is a gift of comprehension.
Third, Christmas makes a difference because Christ came to destroy the works of the devil. What are the works of the devil? They are actions like him and his evil nature and spirit. God has purposed that the terrible work of the devil will be destroyed. Mark that word “destroyed,” not limited, nor alleviated, nor neutralized, but destroyed. How? By the work of God in Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection. It is a conquering, complete, and conclusive work. Jesus is a victorious Christmas gift!