EDITORIAL by Pastor Ralph H. Flynn
The Christmas Story and Its Effect
On Those Who Read It 

Journalism students are taught early in their training that there are five basic questions to be answered in every news
story: who, what, when, where, and how. 

The answers tell the story that “the public has a right to know.” Let us ask those questions for the story of Christmas.

Who is the focus of the story? It is Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world. Yes, really. No, the focus is not
your family gathered around the tree. And no, it is not Santa Claus and his elves. It is Jesus Christ. “And the angel said
unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring
forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom
there shall be no end” (Luke 1:30-33). 

What did He come to do? He came to save from sin all who would believe on Him. “And she shall bring forth a son, and
thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and
they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:21-23). 

When did He come? He came at God’s appointed time and at the most advantageous time in history. All was in readiness
for Him. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To
redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). 

Where did the story take place? Long after the divine planning stage in heaven, the story took center stage in Bethlehem.
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great
with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she
brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no
room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:4-7). 

How does the story affect me? It was for you that the redeeming work of Christ was planned. It was for you that He came
in God’s appointed time. It was for you that He died upon the cross of Calvary. It was for your justification that He was
raised from the dead. It is to you that He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For
my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). 

But the story will affect you for good only if you read it and respond appropriately. It will affect you for evil if you pay it
no heed. You must recognize God’s purpose for the story and apply it to your life. “For unto you is born this day in the
city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth
on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47). The Christmas story is true. What you believe about it and Christ is another
story; another story of who, what, when, where, and how.

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