More on the "True Meaning of Christmas"

Even among evangelical Christians there seems to be confusion about the true meaning of Christmas, as if our message during this season was little more than something like, "Don't be materialistic...but be nice to one another."

But that is not the Gospel (it sounds more like salvation by works). And the story and message of what was happening when Christ came is far profounder and richer. As Sinclair Ferguson writes,

"He was not conceived in the womb of Mary for those who had done their best, but for those who know that their best is "like filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6)--far from good enough--and that in their flesh dwells no good thing (Rom. 7:18). He was not sent to be the source of our good experiences, but to suffer the pangs of hell in order to be our Saviour."

-- Sinclair Ferguson, "In Christ Alone," p. 17.

This is an excerpt from the chapter "Santa Christ?" The first two chapters of "In Christ Alone" are available online here. (HT: Scott Clark; Martin Downes)