What is the real impact of Christmas?

For many of us in the Western world, the story of Christmas has a familiar cast of characters: Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, angels, the wise men, some sheep and cows to complete the manger scene—and, of course, Jesus. Front-yard displays in our neighborhoods might also include Santa, some elves, a few reindeer, and even some Star Wars characters.

But the Bible shows that Christmas has a much greater and more serious significance. Christ’s coming into our world spells the beginning of the end for Satan’s power on earth. The devil wants to do all he can to destroy Christ’s coming, or at least to distract our attention from it, because he knows that Jesus has come to break the power of sin and death.

If it sometimes seems like a battle to remember Christmas and to focus on Christ as the center of it, we should not be surprised. Our celebration each year has cosmic significance—even eternal significance—and the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion” looking to undermine our joy that Christ has come (see 1 Peter 5:8). But we also remember God’s provision in the face of danger. Just as God protected the baby Jesus from human and superhuman enemies, so God will provide for us.