Christmas Sermon

CHRISTMAS SERMON

WHY JESUS HAD TO BE BORN

Key Text: Galatians 4:4–5 (KJV)

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

INTRODUCTION

The birth of Jesus Christ was not an accident of history, nor merely a sentimental Christmas story. It was a divine necessity. If Christ had not been born, there would be no salvation, no redemption, and no hope for fallen humanity. Scripture teaches that Jesus had to be born because of who God is, what man had become, and what God’s justice required.

UNDERSTANDING THE KEY TEXT (Galatians 4:4–5)

“But when the fulness of the time was come”

The word “But” marks a turning point in redemptive history. Humanity was under bondage and condemnation, but God intervened.

The “fulness of the time” means that nothing was late or early. Christ came at the exact moment appointed by God—when prophecy, history, and divine purpose perfectly converged (Daniel 9:24–26; Mark 1:15).

Doctrine: God’s sovereign timing in redemption.

“God sent forth his Son”

Salvation begins with God, not man.
To be “sent forth” means the Son already existed before His birth.
“His Son” affirms Christ’s eternal Sonship and deity.

Jesus did not become the Son at Bethlehem; He was sent as the Son.

Doctrine: The pre-existence and deity of Christ.

“Made of a woman”

“Made” means to become—not to be created from nothing.
“Of a woman” emphasizes real humanity and real birth.

This points to the virgin birth promised in Scripture (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14). Christ did not merely appear human; He truly assumed human nature.

Doctrine: The incarnation and sinless humanity of Christ.

“Made under the law”

To be “under the law” means under its:

  • Moral demands
  • Ceremonial obligations
  • Judicial curse

Christ willingly placed Himself under the very law that condemns sinners. He obeyed it perfectly in life and satisfied it fully in death.

Doctrine: Christ’s active and passive obedience, essential to justification.

“To redeem them that were under the law”

To redeem means to buy back by paying a price.
That price was His own blood (1 Peter 1:18–19).

Those “under the law” are sinners—condemned, guilty, and unable to save themselves. Redemption is not release by power alone, but by the satisfaction of divine justice.

Doctrine: Substitutionary atonement and redemption.

“That we might receive the adoption of sons”

“That” shows God’s purpose.
“Receive” emphasizes grace, not merit.
“Adoption” is a legal act by which God places believers into His family.

To be adopted as sons means:

  • A new standing
  • A secure inheritance
  • Free access to the Father

Adoption goes beyond forgiveness—it grants sonship.

Doctrine: Justification leading to adoption.

WHY JESUS HAD TO BE BORN (SUMMARY TEACHING)

I. To Fulfill God’s Promises

God promised a Redeemer from the moment man fell (Genesis 3:15).
Prophets foretold His coming (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2).
Christ’s birth proves God is faithful to His covenant word.

II. To Become Truly Man

Salvation required representation. Man sinned; therefore man must obey and suffer.
Jesus became flesh and experienced hunger, weariness, sorrow, and temptation—yet without sin (John 1:14).

III. To Live Under and Fulfill the Law

The law demands perfect obedience. Christ fulfilled it completely and His righteousness is credited to believers (Romans 5:19).

IV. To Die for Sinners

God cannot die—but man can. Christ was born so He could shed real blood and bear real wrath (Hebrews 2:14).
The manger points to the cross; Bethlehem was necessary for Calvary.

V. To Save His People

Jesus was born not merely to inspire or teach, but to save (Matthew 1:21; 1 Timothy 1:15).

CONCLUSION

Jesus had to be born because:

  • God’s promises had to be fulfilled
  • God’s law had to be obeyed
  • God’s justice had to be satisfied
  • God’s people had to be redeemed

The cradle was not the end—it was the beginning of salvation.

Application:
If Christ humbled Himself to be born for sinners, the only proper response is repentance, faith, worship, and obedience.

Closing Text:
2 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV)

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”



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