As the days grow short and the autumn leaves fall, stores will begin decorating for Christmas. It seems to come earlier each year. But the real story of Christmas never gets old. A virgin gave birth to a son through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is in fact God’s son.

Listen to Mark 1:9-11, ‘At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”’ (NIV) This fact is central to Jesus’ identity. He claimed God as his Father.

Satan tempted Jesus to prove his identity in Matthew 4:3, ‘The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”’(NIV) Matthew 16:16 gives Peter’s great confession about the identity of Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (NIV)

In fact, all the apostles believed this. After Jesus walked on water, Matthew 14:33 says they all ‘worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”’ (NIV)

Romans 1:4 says Jesus “was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead."

Believing Jesus is the Son of God leads to life in his name.