The story is a familiar one, about a troubled man named George who is rescued by a theologically incorrect angel named Clarence. In an effort to earn his wings, Clarence shows George how terrible things would be in Bedford Falls if he had never been born. Though the comparison is obviously inadequate, the title of Stern’s story raises an infinitely more important question when applied to the heart of Christmas. What if the Lord Jesus had never been born?

In 1943, Philip Van Doren Stern wrote a short story called “The Greatest Gift.” He tried to get it published to no avail. So, he printed 200 copies himself and distributed them to friends and family members at Christmas time.

One of the booklets made its way to Hollywood, where it eventually fell into the right hands and was converted into a screenplay. The name of the project was changed to “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The film debuted in 1946 and is now a holiday classic. Stern’s short story was actually published a year earlier, but not as a book. It was released as a feature in Good Housekeeping magazine with the title, “The Man Who Was Never Born.”

The story is a familiar one, about a troubled man named George who is rescued by a theologically incorrect angel named Clarence. In an effort to earn his wings, Clarence shows George how terrible things would be in Bedford Falls if he had never been born.

Though the comparison is obviously inadequate, the title of Stern’s story raises an infinitely more important question when applied to the heart of Christmas. What if the Lord Jesus had never been born?

You may not think of Hebrews 2 as a Christmas text, but it is one of my favorites. This chapter provides us with a profound theology of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In verses 9–18, we find three answers to the question, “What if Jesus had never been born?”

If Jesus Had Never Been Born, There Would be no Salvation from Sin

If Christ had not come, His substitutionary atonement on the cross would never have taken place and thus there would be no forgiveness, no redemption, no justification, and no salvation. In verse 9, the author of Hebrews connects the reality of Christ’s incarnation with His redemptive work on the cross.

But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. – Hebrews 2:9

As this passage demonstrates, it is not cliché to say that Jesus was born so that He could die. The glory of Christmas culminates in the suffering of Good Friday and the triumph of Easter. Jesus came to die. He came so that through His death, He might give life to everyone who believes in Him.

In verse 10, the author of Hebrews continues to build on the benefits of Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. – Hebrews 2:10

The one unique Son of God came down from heaven to earth, so that the many sons and daughters of Adam might become children of God in Christ.

The word for “perfect” (in v. 10) here can mean to perfect or to complete. Of course, Jesus was already perfect. His absolute perfection was evidenced in His humanity, as He perfectly submitted to the will of His Father even in His sufferings and death (cf. Heb. 4:15). Through His death, Christ completed the redemptive purposes of God. Therefore, He is the perfect High Priest who is able to cleanse the sins of His people through His own sacrifice.

This theme continues in vv. 11–13.

For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren saying,
“I will proclaim Your name to My brethren,
In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.”
And again,
“I will put My trust in Him.”
And again,
“Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.”

– Hebrews 2:11–13

Notice the familial language in those verses, speaking of our adoption into the family of God. Christ is the Son of God by divine right, on account of who He is. Believers are children by adoption, on account of what Christ has done on our behalf.

Verses 10-13 reiterate the reality that our justification, adoption, sanctification, and future glorification are all predicated on the truth of verse 9—that, “for a little while He became lower than the angels.” Without Christmas, we would have no part in those saving realities.

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