Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

The Real Reason for the Season

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YOU'VE SEEN IT. SO HAVE I. The phrase is on bumper stickers, it appears on coffee mugs, it often finds its way onto greeting cards, billboards, and church signs. It has become almost synonymous with Christ. What is that expression?

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Catchy, isn't it? Sure makes sense on the surface. In fact, an entire retail industry has been practically erected around this singular notion. Works well as a Christmas theme. Don't get me wrong: I'm all for the emphasis being on Christ and keeping our priorities straight in the press and rush of Christmas. But something doesn't pass muster biblically.

Here's why. Consider Paul's words:

Though [Jesus] was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.

PHILIPPIANS 2:6–8

Paul's words echo his ancient predecessor's:

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's path to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.

ISAIAH 53:4–6

Are you beginning to get the point? Jesus was never the reason for the season. You were the reason He came. I was the reason He became flesh. We are the reason for the season. We have a Savior. Christmas isn't about Him—it's about our need for Him.