I’ve pastored over thirty-five years now, and recently, it hit me that I’ve probably preached on Advent from every single character’s perspective—except for one. The star of the show, the reason for the season—Jesus.
As I thought through the story, I wondered how He might’ve felt leading up to His own birth—knowing He was trading the perfect glory of heaven for the uncomfortable trials of earth. What was He thinking and feeling? Thankfully, Scripture gives us a glimpse.
In Hebrews 10:5 we read: “Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me.’” It’s clear Jesus wasn’t looking forward to what He’d endure on earth; He came, bled, and died for us.
So as we look at the nativity scene this Christmas, I hope we’ll gain a fresh perspective. I pray we’ll see not just a cuddly baby born for celebration, but a compassionate Savior born for battle—the battle for our very lives.
Paul’s writings in the New Testament give us specific battles Jesus took on for our sake. The first is the battle of being loved by God. In a world where fatherlessness has reached epidemic proportions, accepting the love of our Father in Heaven can feel unnatural. But Romans 8:39 declares that “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus came so we could receive the Father’s full, faithful love.
That love leads us to the second battle: being led by God. Our lives won’t change simply because we’re loved by God—we have to surrender them completely. This can be tough for everyone—especially those of us held back by condemnation or weighed down by a desire for control. Yet Romans 8:28 assures us there’s no safer place to put our trust: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Jesus came to show us that we can trust God’s leadership.
This brings us to the third battle: believing in God’s promises. When people have let you down—or when you’ve let yourself down—depending on what God says can feel risky. But His Word is different. It never fails. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:20: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” Jesus came to show us that God’s Word stands the test of time.
So friends, as you go about your holiday season, I pray you’re filled with fresh gratitude for that baby in the manger, remembering that He didn’t come for comfort; He came for conquest. He wasn’t born for celebration alone; He was born to bring you complete victory—fighting for your heart, your hope, and your eternity. Jesus was born for your battle!
