2. We would have remained under the heavy burden of the Old Testament which no one can carry, (Heb 7:18-22; Gal 2:16 ; Gal 4:4,5) while through His incarnation, we received the divine power of the Holy Spirit, that makes this burden easy to carry (Matt 11:29,30 ; 1 John 5:3).
3. We would have remained in darkness (John 8:12; John1:5; 1 John 2:8; Col 1:13; 2 Tim 1:10) since He is the true Light (John 8:12; 9:5). So, He transferred us from darkness into light ( John 12:46; 1 Pet 2:9 ; 2 Cor 4:6), and we became children of light (Matt 5:14-16 ; John 12:36 ; Eph 5:8-14 ; 1 Thes 5:5) So we should act as children of light ( John 12:35 ; Phil 2:14,15 ; 1 John 1:5-7 ; 1 John 2:8-11)
4. Our salvation would have not been fulfilled (1 John 3:5; John 8:24) because there is no salvation in any other but Him (Act 4:12; Col 1:14). He saved us from both the original sin and all sinful acts (Rom 5:12-19; 3:24,25; 8:3). His blood is sufficient to cleanse us from all sins (1 John 1:7)
5. Reconciliation with God could not have happened without the shedding of Christ’s blood on our behalf (Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 5:18,19; Col 1:20-22).
6. We would have not been redeemed from the curse of the Law (Duet 21:22,23; 28:18-68). That curse which we inherited because of the first fall (Gen 3:17) was removed by the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus (Gal 3:13). He also fulfilled the Law of the Old Testament on our behalf.
7. Defeating Satan would have not happened (Jhn 12:31; Col 2:13-15), nor we could have been able to defeat him (1 Pet 5:8,9; 1 Jhn 2:13,14). Christ is the Almighty One who is able for that (Matt 12:29) and He gave us His mighty power to tread upon him (Lk 10:19) and to overcome the world (Jhn 16:33; 1 Jhn 5:4,5; Gal 1:4).
8. We could have not conquered death (Jhn 8:43; Heb 2:14; 2Tim 1:10) but only through His resurrection we are able to Shout, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, Where is your victory?” (1Cor 15:55) Christ is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Cor 15:20; Rom 8:11; Col 1:18), and He will transform our lowly body that it may conform to His glorious body (Phil 3:21; 1 Cor 15:21-23).
9. We could not inherit the Heavenly Kingdom (Lk 12:32; Heb 10:19,20) which He prepared for us (Matt 24:34 ; 1 Thes 1:11) and we could not enjoy the eternal life ( Jhn 10:27,28 ; 1 Jhn 5:11,12). Only in Him is Life (Jhn 1:4) and He is the source of life (Jhn 6:48,50,51 ; 11:25,26 ; 14:6) So, believing in Him leads us to eternal life (Jhn 3:36,16 ; 5:21,25 ; 1Jhn 4:11,12)
10. The end of our lives would be at the Hill for eternal
punishment since the wages of sin is death (Gen 2:17; Rom 5:12,18,19; Rom
6:23). Even the righteous people of the Old Testament were not able to go to
the Paradise since He descended into Hades through His cross to restore them
back to Paradise (Eph 4:8,9 ; 2 Pet 3:18,19).
11. We could have not been made free but rather we would be slaves of sin (John 8:34). Christ is the only one to make us free (Jhn 8:31,32). We also could have not been able to receive forgiveness for our sins (1Jhn 1:7; Act 10:43)
12. We would have remained to be slaves of God, but through Christ we became sons of God (John 1:12; Rom 8:14 ; 1 John 3:1) We are not slaves any more but friends and beloved ones (John 15:14,15). We are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (Eph 2:19). And if we are children then we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7; Tit 3:7). We could have not been delivered from the bondage of corruption to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom 8:21)
13. We could have not been able to know God as we know Him now ( John 1:14 ; 8:55 ; 14:7,9 ; 2 Cor 4:6 ; 3:18), and we could have not seen Him (Exd 33:20 ; John 1:18 ; John 4:12 ; 1 Tim 6:16).
14. But He revealed Himself through His incarnation, since Christ is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15), the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person (Heb 1:1-3) and in Him all the fullness of Divinity (Col 1:19 ; 2:9).
15. We could have not known the Holy Trinity as One God (Matt 3:16,17 ; 1 John 5:7), and we could have not known the relationship between the three hypostases (Persons) (John 3:16,17,35 ; 5:48 ; 10:30,38 ; 14:10,26 ; 15:26 ; 16:15 ; 17:10),
15. We could have not known the Father whom we only know through the Son (Matt 11:27; John 8:19,55 ; 14:7,9).
16. We could not confess the divinity of the Son but only through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3), and we could have not come to the Son until the Father draws us (John 6:44) and the Son will not cast out nor loose us (John 6:37,39).
17. We could have not had a relation with every Person of the Holy Trinity (John 14:20,21,23; 15:4-19 ;17:11,21 ; 1 John 1:3).
18. We could have not been considered partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4 ; 1 John 1:3)
19. We could have not been able to enjoy both His unique intercession (Rom 8:34; 1 John 2:1,2; 1 Tim 2:5 ; Heb 7:25) and that of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:26,27).
20. We could have not been able to know Him in His perfect love (Eph 3:19), humility, meekness (Matt 11:29), compassion (Matt 9:36, 14:14; Mk 8:2 ; Lk 7:13), longsuffering (1 Pet 2:21,4:1) etc…
21. We could have not been able to abide in Him and He in us (John 15:4; 17:3,6,7; 1 John 3:24; John 6:56)
11. We could have not been made free but rather we would be slaves of sin (John 8:34). Christ is the only one to make us free (Jhn 8:31,32). We also could have not been able to receive forgiveness for our sins (1Jhn 1:7; Act 10:43)
12. We would have remained to be slaves of God, but through Christ we became sons of God (John 1:12; Rom 8:14 ; 1 John 3:1) We are not slaves any more but friends and beloved ones (John 15:14,15). We are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (Eph 2:19). And if we are children then we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7; Tit 3:7). We could have not been delivered from the bondage of corruption to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom 8:21)
13. We could have not been able to know God as we know Him now ( John 1:14 ; 8:55 ; 14:7,9 ; 2 Cor 4:6 ; 3:18), and we could have not seen Him (Exd 33:20 ; John 1:18 ; John 4:12 ; 1 Tim 6:16).
14. But He revealed Himself through His incarnation, since Christ is the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15), the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person (Heb 1:1-3) and in Him all the fullness of Divinity (Col 1:19 ; 2:9).
15. We could have not known the Holy Trinity as One God (Matt 3:16,17 ; 1 John 5:7), and we could have not known the relationship between the three hypostases (Persons) (John 3:16,17,35 ; 5:48 ; 10:30,38 ; 14:10,26 ; 15:26 ; 16:15 ; 17:10),
15. We could have not known the Father whom we only know through the Son (Matt 11:27; John 8:19,55 ; 14:7,9).
16. We could not confess the divinity of the Son but only through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3), and we could have not come to the Son until the Father draws us (John 6:44) and the Son will not cast out nor loose us (John 6:37,39).
17. We could have not had a relation with every Person of the Holy Trinity (John 14:20,21,23; 15:4-19 ;17:11,21 ; 1 John 1:3).
18. We could have not been considered partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4 ; 1 John 1:3)
19. We could have not been able to enjoy both His unique intercession (Rom 8:34; 1 John 2:1,2; 1 Tim 2:5 ; Heb 7:25) and that of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:26,27).
20. We could have not been able to know Him in His perfect love (Eph 3:19), humility, meekness (Matt 11:29), compassion (Matt 9:36, 14:14; Mk 8:2 ; Lk 7:13), longsuffering (1 Pet 2:21,4:1) etc…
21. We could have not been able to abide in Him and He in us (John 15:4; 17:3,6,7; 1 John 3:24; John 6:56)
22. We would have not received the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit would have not been able to live in us (Act 2:37,38) and our bodies would have not been holy temples for His dwelling (1 Cor 3:16, 6:19 ; 2 Cor 6:16) nor we would have been members of Christ’s body (1 Cor 6:15). Through the Incarnation of the Son of God, our body is sanctified and we should honor and respect this body since it was anointed by the Holy Myron. Now, our bodies, spirits, and lives do not belong to us but rather to Christ (1 Cor 6:20).
• We could have not had the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13 ; Rom 8:13,14 ; 1 John 2:20,27)
• We could have not had the fruits (Gal 5:22,23) or the gifts (1 Cor 12) of the Spirit within us.
• The divine mysteries would have not been revealed to us (John 16:14; Rom 16:25,26 ; 1 Cor 2:7-10 ; Eph 1:9 ; 1 Tim 3:16). Also we would have missed what the Holy Spirit declares to us (Jhn16:13,14)
o We could have not restored the image of God (Col 3:9, 10), on which we were created (Gen 1:28) and which we lost by falling in sin (2 Cor 5:17). When we died, were buried, and rose with Him in the holy baptism, we put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:24). We were conformed to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29; 1 Cor 15:45-50). Through His incarnation, He restored to us dignity and honor as we became precious in His sight (1 Pet 2:7).
o We could have not been able to get rid of fear (John 6:20; 1John 4:18,19), from which we suffered since the first fall (Gen 3:8-10). We could have not been able to have continuous joy (John 16:22, 15:11; Phil 3:1,4:4; 1 Thes 5:16; 1 John 1:4) nor peace (Lk 2:14; John 16:33; Rom 15:33, 16:20; Phil 4:7). His incarnation gives us the true meaning of freedom (John 8:32-36 ; Gal 5:1,13), victory (1 Cor 15:57 ; 2 Cor 2:14), power (1 Cor 16:13 ; 2 Cor 4:7 , 12:9,10), greatness (Mk 10:42-45) etc…
o Both women and children could have not received dignity and honor, as women were considered at that time a symbol of weakness and they were not equal to men; while children were considered a symbol of ignorance, so both were not counted with men equally (Matt 14:28, 15:38), and their testimony was not valuable.
• Christianity gives women their equality and dignity since our Lord Jesus was followed by many women together with His disciples, who provided for Him from their substance (Lk 8:3). He also honored them when He appeared first after His resurrection to two of them (Matt 28:1-10), asking them to carry the joyful news to His disciples. We could not forget the great honor and respect He gave to St. Mary as His mother (Lk 2:50), and how much care He showed for her during His suffering (John 19:25-27). His first miracle was done according to her wish although His time had not yet come (John 2:1-11). He also praised many women for their good deeds (Lk 7:31-50; 10:42)
• Christianity teaches equality of men and women in duties and rights (Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 11:11,12).
• Christianity also respects all women rights as in marital relations (Eph 5:25-33; 1 Cor 11:7,10-17; 1 Pet 3:3:7,8; Col 3:19), monogamy (Mk 10:6-9), purity, (1 Thes 4:3-7) and divorce (Matt 19:3-11; 5:27-32).
• Jesus also accepted children and blessed them (Mk 10:13-16 ; Lk 18:15-17). More than that, He respected them and asked us to do so (Matt 18:5, 10) and He revealed His mysteries to them and not to the wise and prudent (Matt 11:25). He also defended them {Matt 21:15, 16). He asked us to be like them to enter the heavenly kingdom (Matt 18:1-6; Lk 9:46,47; Mk 9:35-37).
• The Holy Spirit would have not been able to live in us (Act 2:37,38) and our bodies would have not been holy temples for His dwelling (1 Cor 3:16, 6:19 ; 2 Cor 6:16) nor we would have been members of Christ’s body (1 Cor 6:15). Through the Incarnation of the Son of God, our body is sanctified and we should honor and respect this body since it was anointed by the Holy Myron. Now, our bodies, spirits, and lives do not belong to us but rather to Christ (1 Cor 6:20).
• We could have not had the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13 ; Rom 8:13,14 ; 1 John 2:20,27)
• We could have not had the fruits (Gal 5:22,23) or the gifts (1 Cor 12) of the Spirit within us.
• The divine mysteries would have not been revealed to us (John 16:14; Rom 16:25,26 ; 1 Cor 2:7-10 ; Eph 1:9 ; 1 Tim 3:16). Also we would have missed what the Holy Spirit declares to us (Jhn16:13,14)
o We could have not restored the image of God (Col 3:9, 10), on which we were created (Gen 1:28) and which we lost by falling in sin (2 Cor 5:17). When we died, were buried, and rose with Him in the holy baptism, we put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:24). We were conformed to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29; 1 Cor 15:45-50). Through His incarnation, He restored to us dignity and honor as we became precious in His sight (1 Pet 2:7).
o We could have not been able to get rid of fear (John 6:20; 1John 4:18,19), from which we suffered since the first fall (Gen 3:8-10). We could have not been able to have continuous joy (John 16:22, 15:11; Phil 3:1,4:4; 1 Thes 5:16; 1 John 1:4) nor peace (Lk 2:14; John 16:33; Rom 15:33, 16:20; Phil 4:7). His incarnation gives us the true meaning of freedom (John 8:32-36 ; Gal 5:1,13), victory (1 Cor 15:57 ; 2 Cor 2:14), power (1 Cor 16:13 ; 2 Cor 4:7 , 12:9,10), greatness (Mk 10:42-45) etc…
o Both women and children could have not received dignity and honor, as women were considered at that time a symbol of weakness and they were not equal to men; while children were considered a symbol of ignorance, so both were not counted with men equally (Matt 14:28, 15:38), and their testimony was not valuable.
• Christianity gives women their equality and dignity since our Lord Jesus was followed by many women together with His disciples, who provided for Him from their substance (Lk 8:3). He also honored them when He appeared first after His resurrection to two of them (Matt 28:1-10), asking them to carry the joyful news to His disciples. We could not forget the great honor and respect He gave to St. Mary as His mother (Lk 2:50), and how much care He showed for her during His suffering (John 19:25-27). His first miracle was done according to her wish although His time had not yet come (John 2:1-11). He also praised many women for their good deeds (Lk 7:31-50; 10:42)
• Christianity teaches equality of men and women in duties and rights (Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 11:11,12).
• Christianity also respects all women rights as in marital relations (Eph 5:25-33; 1 Cor 11:7,10-17; 1 Pet 3:3:7,8; Col 3:19), monogamy (Mk 10:6-9), purity, (1 Thes 4:3-7) and divorce (Matt 19:3-11; 5:27-32).
• Jesus also accepted children and blessed them (Mk 10:13-16 ; Lk 18:15-17). More than that, He respected them and asked us to do so (Matt 18:5, 10) and He revealed His mysteries to them and not to the wise and prudent (Matt 11:25). He also defended them {Matt 21:15, 16). He asked us to be like them to enter the heavenly kingdom (Matt 18:1-6; Lk 9:46,47; Mk 9:35-37).
Rejection could have remained to the foreigners, weak,
lowly, un-wealthy, etc… But salvation is for all equally (Act 2:39;
10:34,43). Christ gives us the example to care, love, defend, and help everyone
without any differentiation, as He did with the Canaanite woman (Matt 15:21-29)
the Samaritans (John 4:9-30, 4:39-43, Lk 9:52-56; 10:25-37; 17:11-19), tax
collectors and sinners (Matt 9:9-13,37), the woman with a spirit of infirmity
(Lk 13:10-17), the persistent widow (Lk 18:1-8), the poor widow (Lk 21:1-4). He
praised many foreigners introducing them as role models to follow (Lk
7:2-10; 7:36-50; 11:29-32; Matt 8:5-13).
o Superiority of the masters over the slaves could have also persisted; but Christianity teaches equality for both (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11; Rom 2:11) asking the servants to respect their masters (Eph 6:5-8; 1 Tim 6:1,2; 1 Pet 2:18-25) and asking the masters to deal with their servants in a Christian way (Phil 10-21; Eph 6:9).
o We would have missed the opportunity to see the “perfect Man” and to learn from Him (Matt 12:17-21; 11:29), that is our Lord Jesus Christ, the “Son of God” and the “Son of Man” at the same time (1 John 2:3-6; 1 Pet 2:21).
• We could have not reached to the level of perfection and holiness because all people in all generations have gone astray and no
• one was able to get rid of sin and do good (Rom 3:12,23). By the birth of our Savior, we have the capability to reach perfection (Matt 5:48; Eph 3:19; 4:13; Col 1:28) and holiness (1Pet 1:15,16; 1 Thes 4:3,7; Heb 10:10; 2 Cor 7:1). He gave us the Law of perfection (Matt 5:17-20) to live with, and supported us with divine power to fulfill it. We are justified through Him (Rom 3:24, 5:1).
• His life on earth was a model for us in everything to follow (1 Cor 11:1; Eph 5:1; 1Pet 2:21-23; 1 John 2:6) e.g. in His character (Matt 11:29; 12:18-20), in praying (Lk 5:16; 6:12; 9:18; 11:1), in fasting (Matt 4:2; 21:18), in overcoming temptations (Matt 4:1-11) etc…
• He was also a good citizen (Matt 17:24-27; 22:15-22). This is the teaching of Christianity, as in respecting and praying for the governors (Rom 13:1-7 ; 1 Pet 2:13-17 ; 1 Tim 2:1-3), giving importance to work (2 Thes 3:6-13), correcting any deviation for the benefit of both the person and community (Eph 4:28), and loving to help others (Gal 5:14) etc…
• He was socially active, sharing with others in their rejoicing (Jhn 2:1-11) and weeping (Jhn 11:35) giving us the example to “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Rom 12:15).
o Before His birth, God refused His People (Jer 31:31-33; Rom 10:21; Heb 8:8-10), as well as all mankind (Rom 3:10), but now we became His people since we obtained mercy through Him (1 Pet 2:9,10; Rom 9:25,26). More than that, we became His body while He is the Head (Rom 12:5; Eph 5:23,30).
o Now, there is no condemnation to those who abide in Him and live their lives spiritually to please Him (Jhn 16:14; 5:24; Rom 8:1; Eph 1:9; 1 Jhn 3:18).
o In general, without His birth and all these blessings of His incarnation that we have gotten, we would have been the most pitiable and miserable since we would have lived to suffer, and would have died to perish. (1 Cor 15:19; Heb 2:15).
o Superiority of the masters over the slaves could have also persisted; but Christianity teaches equality for both (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11; Rom 2:11) asking the servants to respect their masters (Eph 6:5-8; 1 Tim 6:1,2; 1 Pet 2:18-25) and asking the masters to deal with their servants in a Christian way (Phil 10-21; Eph 6:9).
o We would have missed the opportunity to see the “perfect Man” and to learn from Him (Matt 12:17-21; 11:29), that is our Lord Jesus Christ, the “Son of God” and the “Son of Man” at the same time (1 John 2:3-6; 1 Pet 2:21).
• We could have not reached to the level of perfection and holiness because all people in all generations have gone astray and no
• one was able to get rid of sin and do good (Rom 3:12,23). By the birth of our Savior, we have the capability to reach perfection (Matt 5:48; Eph 3:19; 4:13; Col 1:28) and holiness (1Pet 1:15,16; 1 Thes 4:3,7; Heb 10:10; 2 Cor 7:1). He gave us the Law of perfection (Matt 5:17-20) to live with, and supported us with divine power to fulfill it. We are justified through Him (Rom 3:24, 5:1).
• His life on earth was a model for us in everything to follow (1 Cor 11:1; Eph 5:1; 1Pet 2:21-23; 1 John 2:6) e.g. in His character (Matt 11:29; 12:18-20), in praying (Lk 5:16; 6:12; 9:18; 11:1), in fasting (Matt 4:2; 21:18), in overcoming temptations (Matt 4:1-11) etc…
• He was also a good citizen (Matt 17:24-27; 22:15-22). This is the teaching of Christianity, as in respecting and praying for the governors (Rom 13:1-7 ; 1 Pet 2:13-17 ; 1 Tim 2:1-3), giving importance to work (2 Thes 3:6-13), correcting any deviation for the benefit of both the person and community (Eph 4:28), and loving to help others (Gal 5:14) etc…
• He was socially active, sharing with others in their rejoicing (Jhn 2:1-11) and weeping (Jhn 11:35) giving us the example to “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Rom 12:15).
o Before His birth, God refused His People (Jer 31:31-33; Rom 10:21; Heb 8:8-10), as well as all mankind (Rom 3:10), but now we became His people since we obtained mercy through Him (1 Pet 2:9,10; Rom 9:25,26). More than that, we became His body while He is the Head (Rom 12:5; Eph 5:23,30).
o Now, there is no condemnation to those who abide in Him and live their lives spiritually to please Him (Jhn 16:14; 5:24; Rom 8:1; Eph 1:9; 1 Jhn 3:18).
o In general, without His birth and all these blessings of His incarnation that we have gotten, we would have been the most pitiable and miserable since we would have lived to suffer, and would have died to perish. (1 Cor 15:19; Heb 2:15).
o Now, we should be the salt of the earth (Matt
5:13), and the light of the world (Matt 5:14-16; Phil 2:15; 1 Thes 5:5).
· We could not imagine the world without the Christian teaching and principles.
· We could not imagine our relationships with each other without the Christian love.
· We could not imagine our lives without Christian virtues
· We could not imagine the world without the Christian institutes, which share, help and support the needy, hungry, orphans, sick or those who suffered from persecution or disasters every where.
· We could not imagine the world without human rights, gifted to us at the beginning by God Himself.
· We could not imagine ourselves without equality, and without respecting and honoring the other.
o Christmas is not just a day or a season ... Christmas is an epic story of God who so loves humankind That He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that we may be saved and learn to share with one another.
Courtesy St. Mary & St. Anthonious Coptic Othodox Church
· We could not imagine the world without the Christian teaching and principles.
· We could not imagine our relationships with each other without the Christian love.
· We could not imagine our lives without Christian virtues
· We could not imagine the world without the Christian institutes, which share, help and support the needy, hungry, orphans, sick or those who suffered from persecution or disasters every where.
· We could not imagine the world without human rights, gifted to us at the beginning by God Himself.
· We could not imagine ourselves without equality, and without respecting and honoring the other.
o Christmas is not just a day or a season ... Christmas is an epic story of God who so loves humankind That He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that we may be saved and learn to share with one another.
Courtesy St. Mary & St. Anthonious Coptic Othodox Church
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