December 11, why Jesus came?

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise

partook of the same things.

That through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death,

that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death

were subject to lifelong slavery.

Hebrews 2, 14, and 15.

This, I think, is my favorite advent text because I don't know any other

that expresses so clearly the connection between the beginning and the end

of Jesus' earthly life, between the incarnation and crucifixion.

These two verses make clear why Jesus came, namely to die.

They would be great to use with an unbelieving friend or family member

to walk them step-by-step through your view of Christmas.

It might go something like this, a phrase at a time.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood,

the term children is taken from the previous verse and refers to the

spiritual offspring of Christ, Messiah, Isaiah 8, 18, Isaiah 53, 10.

These are also the children of God, John 1, 12.

In other words, in sending Christ, God has the salvation of His children,

especially in view.

It is true that God still loved the world that He gave Jesus, John 3, 16.

But it is also true that Jesus was especially gathering the children of God

...