When the phrase, “the Babe,” is heard at this time of year, perhaps most minds are still drawn to the Babe in a manger, 2000 years ago in the village of Bethlehem. He was called Jesus, the Christ. The word Christ in the New Testament, and Messiah in the Old Testament are the same word in different languages. They mean Anointed One, and in the case of Jesus, God’s Anointed One. In the scriptures, priests and kings were anointed with oil at their inauguration. Jesus is both a Priest and a King—God’s Anointed.
The Bible tells us that in His incarnation [being born on earth], Jesus, who is God’s eternal Son, became, “God in the flesh.” “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-3, 14)”
This raises the question, Why would God choose to be robed in flesh and live among men? The Bible clearly states that God, in His holiness, cannot tolerate sin. In His justice, He cannot overlook sin, and His judicial laws require that the penalty of death be imposed upon all sin. Since sinful man has nothing to offer in his own defense, Jesus became “God in the flesh” to bear the penalty for man’s sin, and make him eligible for forgiveness..
But, according to God’s law, our redemption would require the bloody, sacrificial death of a Perfect Sinless Substitute. “…without shedding of blood is no remission [forgiveness]. (Hebrews 9:22)” The story of His passion is called the gospel, or “Good News.” “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1Corinthians 15:3-4)”
Jesus is God’s gift to you, but you will have to receive Him! “…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)”