A Reason for Christmas 

1 Kings 16:30 

New International Version 

Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. 

For Meditation 

A study of the Northern Kingdom of Israel offers fascinating insights into human nature and our need for Christ. The nation’s history becomes a grand picture of the ascendancy of the evil that the kings of Israel committed, one after the other. There was no sense of repentance or attempt to turn to the Lord. It was as if each king set out to outdo the kings they inherited through assassinations (1 Kings 16:30-34). 

Sin’s Broadway is a slippery slope. Like a slick, rain-drenched hill, it lures one forward with an enticing shimmering sheen. Power’s most seductive quality surges, a dark, thrilling current coursing through us. The energy it produces is intoxicating, a roaring tempest that drowns out any whisper of reason. No one stops to considerhow they got there. Yet, they sway perilously on this steep incline, unconcerned about how they might reverse the trend that stealthily pulls them into the abyss. 

Evil has a way of changing the perspective of the very people who hated the ways of their predecessors, which offended God. Their anger at the abhorrent actions of their predecessors changes so soon that it becomes difficult to recognize them. Understanding him becomes impossible. The saying that “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” is so true. Why? 

When the root is rotten, the entire tree is dead. Though the parts of the tree may look promising, what runs through it is all poisonous. As faithful as biblical prophecy that points to the foundation of a covenant, this metaphor underscores the spiritual decay of Israel. That is the case of the Northern Kingdom. It was dead from the beginning because of Jeroboam’s actions, which severed the covenant relationship and tainted the nation’s future. 

The way of Jeroboam was rebellious and evil from the start (1 Kings 12:12-17). His actions established a path of defiance that subsequent kings followed, perpetuating a cycle of rebellion. Each king, consumed by power, replicated the errors of their predecessors, echoing the path Satan took, leading to his downfall (Isa. 14:12-17). The chosen lineage of David, from which Christ emerged to fulfill God’s promise of redemption, was the only hope that countered this continual descent into darkness. 

The purpose of God was to show how sinful and corrupt humans are without His mercy and grace through Christ. Despite the opportunities He gave to Israel and to us, they revealed only one thing: absolute human depravity (Rom. 3:10-18). That is why we needed a savior. 

No human goodness could rise to God’s standard for reconciliation (Rom. 3:23). Only the righteousness that comes through Christ Jesus could (24-26). Out of love, God has given the world a singular way for humanity to return to Him (John 14:6). As we consider our path forward, we stand at a crossroads where we can choose self-reliance or Christ-reliance. On one hand, self-reliance is an attempt to bridge the gap between our sinful nature and the holiness of God through our own endeavors, which fall short. On the contrary, Christ-reliance acknowledges that only through accepting the gift of Christ’s righteousness can we meet God’s standards. This good news is the heart of Christmas, the gift of God to sinful man (Jn. 3:16). His gift underscores the critical importance of seeking God through Christ and Him alone (Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 4:12). 

Will it be His way or our way? Do we see the baby in the manger as God’s redemption path to Himself, or as an occasion for commercial festivities and revelry? If only we could see the opportunity for life the Manger Baby presents! Glory to God! 

Pray with Me 

How tragic our lives are, yet how painfully oblivious we are to our need for salvation. We trivialize everything and make waves about life that drowns the joyful news about the day You entered our world, clothed in human flesh, that you might save us. Have mercy on us, Lord, and heal our sinful hearts, that we may have a heart of wisdom, repent, and turn to you with broken and contrite hearts that you may heal us. That is the only way we would understand the reason for Christmas and rejoice in it, giving thanks to you. With faith in Christ Jesus, I pray, amen!.