In the Bible passages for Christmas Day, we have the proof of who our Saviour is. We already know he was born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph. We know angels heralded his birth, and that shepherds and wise men visited him – we sing about it in our carols. But here in these four Bible readings is revealed to us the complete picture of God made flesh, come to be our Saviour.

No ordinary baby, no ordinary birth, but the Word of God, God’s Son, and the One who would bring salvation to the whole earth.

God’s plan for our salvation had been long in the making, but so certain was his word that centuries before this promise was fulfilled, it could be spoken of as if it had already happened. The writer of Psalm 98 praises God for “he has done marvellous things.” He has worked to make salvation possible, so that “all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” It is as if he can already see the coming to fruition of all God’s righteous word. Isaiah (52 v 7-10) uses the same words – “the salvation of our God”, and expresses the joy of the “watchmen” as they see the Lord coming, and the beauty of the feet of those who bring the news. We have the graphic image of the Lord rolling up his sleeves (v 10) ready to get to work and bring in his salvation.

For God did not just send; he came. This is why the readings from Hebrews and John are so necessary at Christmas, so astounding is their message. It was not to an angel that God said, “You are my son” (Hebrews 1 v 5). Not of an angel that he said, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” (1 v 6). It was not an angel to whom he said, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever.” (1 v 8). And it was certainly not to an angel that God said, “ In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth.” (1 v 10). These verses prove that the Son of God is unique, far superior to angels. In fact – impossible as it may seem – he is Almighty God.

In his gospel, John makes this clear from the start. The Word that “became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (1 v 14) was there in the beginning “with God”. He is God. (1 v 1). That leaves us with the astonishing truth that the baby born in Bethlehem was the maker of the whole earth; for “without him nothing was made that has been made” (1 v 3) It means that God himself, who was outside time and space, all powerful, all knowing, entered our world, took flesh and lived among those he had made, sharing their grief and pain, and paying their debts.

This is why we celebrate Christmas. It is not just a mid-winter festival, not just “for the children”, not just an excuse to meet up with family and friends. It is a sharp reminder that God is concerned in our lives; he is involved with us; he entered our world.

“Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies ...”

Think on that, and marvel.