Read Hebrews 10:5-7.

In three short verses, Hebrews 10:5-7, the author of Hebrews gives us the Christmas story according to Jesus. You see, Jesus saw Himself as the fulfillment of Psalm 40. That particular psalm tells us that the sacrifices of the Old Testament were never enough to cleanse us from our sins. No matter how many bulls or lambs the people offered to God, the offerings could not deal with the root problem, and so another sacrifice—a better sacrifice—was needed. That is why Jesus said, “I have come to do your will, my God” (Hebrews 10:7; cf. Psalm 40:8).

Jesus was born on that first Christmas for a distinct purpose: He came to die as a sacrifice for sins. That is why, in that field outside of Bethlehem, an angel of heaven pierced the night sky to tell the shepherds, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). The good news was that the heaven-sent Savior had come to fulfill a glorious mission: to conquer sin and death once and for all.

Jesus was born to be a sacrifice. He gave His body on the cross in order to pay for our sins. This purpose was not an afterthought or something that Jesus stumbled into. Rather, He was conscious that His coming was for a specific purpose—to do the will of the Father. That will, from before the foundation of the world, was the cross.

And so, the cross is at the very center of the Christmas story. In fact, without the cross in view, it is impossible to have Jesus’ heart for the Christmas season. The good news of Advent is only good news because of the cross. Jesus knew that, and He lived His entire life with His face set toward Calvary.

Christmas is meant to be a time of joy. Every year, we have a new opportunity to celebrate the coming of our King and the miracle of His birth. We rejoice that God’s Son made His home with us for a time. But, of course, He didn’t stop there. He lived a perfect, sinless life and then died in our place so that we could make our home with Him both now and forever.

Prayer: Jesus, what wondrous news is Your Gospel. Thank You for coming to earth for me, to redeem me from the pit and lift me even today to the heavenly realms with You (Ephesians 2:6). With this perspective in mind, may I be freed to live for You by the power of Your Spirit at work within me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God’” (Hebrews 10:7).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Christmas According to Jesus: LISTEN NOW

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