Why is Jesus Called the Only Begotten Son of God?

 by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Why is Jesus called the only begotten Son of God? Because He is the only one who was born from a miraculous conception to a virgin. He was begotten from God, His parent, and formed in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit. No one else has ever been or ever will be born in this way. 

Jesus was born as the only begotten Son of God so He could be our redeemer. No one else could pay for our sin.

He came as the heartbeat, the central theme, of Christmas.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

These Scriptures also tell us that Jesus was and is the Begotten Son of God:

No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18)

For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You”? (Hebrews 1:5)

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. (1 John 4:9)

What does the birth of Christ mean to the world?

The only begotten Son of God, the firstborn from the dead, the King of kings and Lord of lords laid aside His royal rights for a time to become one of us. 

He appeared to destroy the works of the devil.

For this purpose the Son of God was manifest, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8b)

Christmas is more than the birthday of a baby.

Christmas shows us how love came down to save sinful people.

Christmas came to give us abundant life.

Christmas came so we could live eternally in heaven.

Christmas came to give us grace, truth, mercy, and so much more.

The only begotten Son of God came to show us that redemption is what His birth  means to the world.

Redemption, the Heartbeat of Christmas was written to focus on many of the reasons Jesus came to earth. We can reflect on those reasons every day of the year. So if you haven’t read this book yet, you can still order a copy and worship the King of kings and Lord of lords and give thanks for His birth even after Christmas.

May your Christmas celebration be joyful and full of the peace Christ was born to give us. Even through the chaotic holiday stresses that surround us, His peace can guide our hearts.

Why is Jesus called the only begotten Son of God? (click to share on X)

 Join the conversation and share your thoughts. 

On the sidebar you will see a link to my latest Crosswalk article, "10 Traditions We Believe About Christmas That Aren't in the Bible." Some of these may surprise you. 

Lessons From Linus That Show Us What Christmas is All About

 Lessons from Linus That Show Us What Christmas is All About

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

I love Charlie Brown. Maybe because I can identify with his feelings of inadequacy sometimes. But I also love his tenacity. He keeps going even when his emotions knock him down.

When he picked a scraggly sapling as a Christmas tree and placed it on top of Schroeder’s piano, pine needles trickled down with tinkling sound effects reflecting the sad state of his choice.

 Do you remember how the children reacted? They moaned, groaned, and complained about this not-so- beautiful symbol of the holiday.

After Charlie left the building with the sad little tree, he placed it in front of Snoopy’s doghouse. The other children soon followed.

Do you remember what Linus did? He said, “I never thought it was such a bad tree. All it needs is a little love.” He then separated himself from his security blanket and placed it around the base of the evergreen.

These lessons from Linus can show us what Christmas is all about.