ISS:A theological perspective of Christmas  by Mark S. Camp

Luke 2:1-20 Galatians 3:26-4:7

I would like to present to you a theological perspective of
Christmas. This is the time of year when our thoughts turn to
the historical events surrounding the birth of our Lord. There
is nothing wrong whatsoever in dwelling upon the historical
side of Christmas, in fact, I would say something was very
wrong if we did not. But I believe it is very easy for us who
are believers in Christ to forget that there is also a
theological or doctrinal side to Christmas also. If we would
properly combine both the historical events and the theological
perspective, I think Christmas would take on a deeper meaning
for us. And so, today, I would like to attempt to do just
that; to read the historical account of the Lord's birth and
then tie into it the theological doctrine which springs from
our Lord's birth.

Let us now read two portions of Scripture, written by two
different men, saying the same thing from different
perspectives.

(READ Luke 2:1-20 and Galatians 3:26-4:7).

In Luke 2 we have recorded for us the glorious first advent or
coming of our Lord and Savior. Luke has preserved for us the
historical narrative of the birth of our Redeemer. In it we
see that a census is to take place throughout the Roman world.
Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem to register. While there, Mary
goes into labor. There is no room at any of the inns but they
find rest in a stable. It is there that our Lord is born. The
stable is transformed into a royal court. A manger, an eating
trough, becomes the bedchamber for a King.

Out in the nearby fields, angels herald the good news of
Christ's birth to shepherds, who hurry off to see what great
thing has taken place. They come and see that what the angels
said was indeed true, and they leave praising and glorifying
God.

What has happened? The Messiah has been born. The prophecy of
Isaiah 11:1 has come to pass - "A shoot will come up from the
stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit." The
words of Moses found in Deuteronomy 18:15 are being fulfilled -
"The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from
among your brothers." The words of the angel to Joseph
concerning Mary and her conception have been fulfilled. Jesus
of Nazareth has been born.

And so we have recorded for us the historical account of this
wonderful and miraculous event.

In Galatians 4:1-7 we have recorded by the Apostle Paul, the
theological or doctrinal perspective of Christ's birth. What
Luke says in twenty verses, Paul sums up in these few words,
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a
woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might
receive the full rights of sons."

Here was the Law-Maker and Law-Giver now being under the
dominion of the law. Here was the Judge of the law and
Executioner of the law coming to be obedient to the law and to
fulfill it. His entire life would be spent in perfect
obedience to the law which he himself had given. As our
representative he fulfilled all the law's precepts. He became
our Surety, our pledge, our guarantee, our down-payment, and
our Substitute. As such he exhausted the curse of the law
including its death penalty. Having taken our place he came
under the rigorous demands of justice, and in due time he bowed
his head and will to the death sentence. The Just One would
die for the unjust ones, and would save his people from their
sins.

What happened at Christmas? Christ's advent, in human form,
born of a woman, born under law, commenced the era of spiritual
maturity and freedom, and ended the era of immaturity and
slavery for the covenant people of God.

Let us focus now on the passage in Galatians.

1. V. 2 - "the time set by the father." The father set the
time limit of his son's minority. Roman law set a fixed age
when young men were no longer considered as minors. However,
in Jewish law the age was determined by the father.

God determined how long his chosen people would have to live as
minors under the law. It was his decision alone as to when
they could have full rights as sons.

2. V. 4 - "when the time had fully come." When all things
were right in God's timetable. In eternity past God the Father
had predestined when all the proper events would fall into
place. For a time the people would live as slaves under a
system of law and works, of obedience and blessing. But this
time period was drawing to an end. Man had proven his utter
helplessness under the law. It had served its purpose. It
showed man that he could not save himself by law-keeping
because he was not perfect.

3. V. 4 - "born of a woman, born under law." Jesus came into
the same environment as those who were finding it impossible to
be justified under law. The Jews were under Mosaic law, the
Gentiles were under natural law. Neither were capable of being
fully obedient to law demands. The Mosaic law was a perfect
expression of God's claims upon man, yet it was a great
hindrance to ADOPTION or to having the full rights as sons. It
was to this hindrance which Christ subjected himself.

4. V. 5 - "to redeem." This implies a deliverance out of one
condition into another. The purpose of Christ's coming was to
redeem or deliver people out of the bondage of law into
something better, SONSHIP!! The purpose of the incarnation,
including all the aspects of Christ's ministry and work, is to
bring those who were kept as minor sons under guardians and
tutors, into a state in which the full privileges and
responsibilities are realized!

In the minor state, God's people were taught by types, emblems,
shadows, and symbols. In full sonship these are no longer
needed because the person to whom they pointed is now here,
present in person. The shadow has become realized substance.

The Levitical Priesthood became realized in Christ.

The sacrifices and offerings were finalized in Christ.

The prophetic word became fulfilled in Christ.

How different is Christ's way of showing the Father's great
mercy than that of the priests who used scarlet wool, hyssop
and blood. The old economy is dim with smoke. The air is
putrid with the smell of burning animals. The ground is red
from the continued flow of blood. The glory of the tabernacle
is veiled under badger skins. A great veil keeps the people
out of the most Holy Place. Ah, but as a full son we can
behold the glory of God for ourselves. We see a once for all
time sacrifice and atonement which is made. No longer is there
the need for any earthly mediators as Christ directly
intercedes for us. No longer must we be reminded by tables of
stone as to what is right and wrong, for now the Spirit has
written the law on the tables of our hearts and given us the
desire and ability to keep the law, not as a condition of
blessing, but as a means of showing our love to him who died
for us. We now have direct access to the throne of God.

Christ has come! "Hark, the herald angels sing; glory to the
newborn King!" The kindergarten class of the law has suddenly
become the college of the Spirit. Spurgeon has said, "One day
with Christ was worth a half century with Moses."

5. The law held the minor children in severe bondage. Don't
eat this, don't wear that, don't touch this. Everywhere he
went the minor child was overshadowed by the pedagogue or
schoolmaster of the law. The minor son bore the yoke of the
law and learned obedience. What a joyful difference occured
when Christ came. It was time to cast out the bond-woman and
usher in the perfect law of liberty.

Under Christ, love is the master operating force. The nature
of full sonship which grace brings about is a nature of desire
and ability to keep the law of God, not as a means of saving
righteousness but as a means of obedience by which the adopted
son shows love to the Father.

Spurgeon: "Being born again and introduced into the family of
God, you will render to the Lord an obedience which you would
not have thought of rendering to him if you had only been
compelled by the idea of law and penalty. Love is a master
force, and he that feels its power will hate all evil. . . Do
not quote Moses for motives of Christian obedience. Do not
say, "the Lord will cast me away unless I do this and that."
Such talk is of the bondwoman and her son."

As we reflect on this Christmas season, let us rejoice in the
events surrounding our Lord's birth. But let us also keep in
mind just what happened in that fulness of time. Let us take
time to praise him for our adoption as sons, for our rights and
privileges as full sons. Let us enjoy the festivities of this
season. There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the
good things which God has made for his creatures. Simply
because the world has commercialized his birth is no reason for
us to neglect the opportunities that we have in praising and
glorifying God for the great things which he has done.

When we see candles burning let us think of the true Light of
the World which came into a dark place to give us light and
illumination. When we see the evergreen trees let us rejoice
in the hope of eternal life which is ours in Christ. When we
hear music let us remember the songs of the angels to the
shepherds - "Glory to God in the highest." When we exchange
gifts, let us remember and be thankful for the gift of Jesus
Christ, the free gift of eternal life. When we enjoy the good
food and drink set before us, let us remember that Jesus Christ
is the Bread of Life and the Water of Life.

May God be praised this day for the gift of his dear Son. What
love and condescension, that the great God of the universe
would choose to give the gift of free grace unto frail
creatures of dust. What mercy, that rebellious children should
be given the full rights as sons in the kingdom of heaven.