The birth of Jesus Christ brought great joy. Even before he was born, when his mother, Mary, met with her cousin Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb “leaped for joy” (Luke 1:44). When a mighty host of angels appeared to lowly shepherds, the angel of the Lord announced the birth of Jesus by saying, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (2:10). 

Why is Jesus’s birth an occasion of such joy? Surely there are many reasons. But the gospel of John emphasizes one: Jesus came to offer himself to sinners so that they might be born again. John highlights this in his introduction, when he writes, “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13, italics mine). 

This new birth is nothing less than a radical transformation, in which God the Holy Spirit takes a spiritually dead and corrupt heart, brings it to life, and ultimately glorifies it in heaven. What an occasion for joy! Not only did the Son of God assume a human nature and human flesh, but he offered himself to sinners—such as you and me. And this offer transforms our lives. What greater cause for joy is there for sinners this Christmas?

—Jonathan Master, author, You Must Be Born Again