On our final day considering the Nativity, we must look beyond the birth of Jesus to what that birth achieved. John tells us at the start of his gospel, ‘He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.’ (John 1:11-13)
The fact is that because of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus we can become children of God. People who never gave God a second thought can become part of His family. We can be born again. It’s not just about being born once in the natural sense of the word; as the carol says, Jesus was ‘born to give them second birth.’ (‘Hark The Herald Angels Sing’)
We rejoice at every birth, but we rejoice even more when there is second birth, when people realise what Jesus has done for them and turn to Him in repentance and faith. You can have a second birthday! – accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and turn to Him, believing that He has made the way for you to become part of God’s great family. That will make Christmas finally make sense to you!
