The Fall

What was the greatest effect of the Fall in Genesis 3? I think it's fair to assume that most would point to the various curses that God pronounced on Adam and Eve in verses 16-19 which we have already looked at this week. However, the end of Chapter 3 reveals the most tragic effect, for it sets the stage for the entirety of human history that would follow.

We read in verses 23-24, "…therefore, the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden…He drove out the man, and…placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life." As we see in the text, the ultimate result of the Fall was a separation between God and man. And although that separation will continue, in a sense, until the days of Revelation 21-22 are fulfilled, we see God making certain provisions over the course of time to reconnect with mankind and to be present amongst His people.

From the tabernacle in the wilderness to the building of the first and second Jewish Temples, then to the incarnation of the God-man whose name is Immanuel - "God with us" - God has been intentionally and personally and passionately pursuing mankind and seeking to bridge the gap that was created because of sin and death. Simply put - God is in the business of restoring right relationship between Him and those created in His image.

This is why we need Christmas. The angelic proclamation in Luke 2:14 of "…peace among those with whom he is pleased!" is a proclamation of restoration. Where separation and enmity once ruled, peace is now possible between God and man because of the life and work of Jesus Christ. Paul picks up on this idea in 2 Corinthians 5. He reminds all Christians that we have been reconciled to God through Christ, and therefore we have been given the ministry of reconciliation.

So for the Christian, Christmas is much more than a holiday of cheer and good will toward men. Christmas is an opportunity to invite those far from God to be restored to and reconciled with their Creator. Now this Creator is in fact holy and cannot be in the presence of sin. But He is also kind and loving, and has made a way for sinners to be reunited with Him, so that at the end of time, we can come back into "the garden" and glean from the "tree of life" forever, in the very presence of our God!