I was a child when I first heard that December 25 may not be the actual date of our Savior’s birth. I remember wondering how we could really celebrate His birthday if we don’t know the day He was born. As time went on, however, I came to realize that the precise date is not the important thing. It’s the fact of the incarnation that counts.
“When the fullness of the time had come” – whether December 25, January 6, April 20, or whatever the date – the Savior was born. That’s what is so meaningful to us. No one who is willing to consider the evidence can deny the truth that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
Yes, God’s Son really did enter this world at a certain point in human history. There’s no question about it. He did come! He did live! He did die! He did arise from the dead! The exact date is incidental, but the fact that He came to earth means everything, for “the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
How fitting, then, that we pause at this season to praise God for the marvelous gift of His love! Let’s thank Him today that there was born “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). It’s a fact! – Richard W. De Haan
Long ago a Child came down
To a little sleepy town,
And upon that Christmas morn
Christ the heavenly King was born. – Freeman
Christ was born on earth below that we might be born from heaven above.
- December 25, 1993, Our Daily Bread
