Darvish Intelligence: The Importance of Christmas and How Jesus is God

Thursday, November 21, 2024

The Importance of Christmas and How Jesus is God

In Persian: Merry Christmas & Jesus is God

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS

As an Iranian-American who grew up in the shadow of Islamic teachings, I was taught that Jesus, or "Isa" as he is called in the Quran, was merely a prophet—no different than Moses, Noah, or Muhammad. Islam presented him as a man of virtue but denied his divinity. That limited and distorted view of Jesus Christ dominated my understanding of faith until I began questioning the religion of my ancestors. As a former leader in the Muslim community, I delved deep into Islamic scriptures, history, and theology, and eventually came to the realization that Islam is fundamentally flawed. More importantly, I came to know that Jesus Christ is not just a prophet—He is God incarnate.

Christmas, the celebration of His birth, represents the most profound truth of human history: that God so loved the world that He became flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14). This truth, which I now cherish as a Christian conservative Latter-day Saint, is transformative and foundational to understanding the purpose of our existence and the hope of eternal life.

The Meaning of Christmas: God With Us

Christmas is more than a holiday; it is a celebration of the Incarnation—God taking on human form in the person of Jesus Christ. The angel Gabriel declared this miraculous event to Mary, saying, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:31-32). The prophet Isaiah foretold this over 700 years earlier, proclaiming, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Immanuel means "God with us," a title that perfectly encapsulates the significance of Christmas.

For centuries, the idea of God becoming man was inconceivable to many, especially in Islam. The Quran explicitly denies the divinity of Christ, stating, “They do blaspheme who say: ‘God is Christ the son of Mary.’” (Quran 5:72). Yet, this denial collapses under scrutiny. The historical, theological, and scriptural evidence overwhelmingly supports the claim that Jesus is not only divine but that He fulfills all the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah.

Jesus: The Fulfillment of Prophecy and Proof of Divinity

One of the greatest proofs of Jesus' divinity lies in His fulfillment of ancient prophecies. Micah foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and this was fulfilled in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:1-6). Isaiah described the Messiah as one who would be “wounded for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5), a prophecy fulfilled in the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. These events were not mere coincidences; they were part of a divine plan, orchestrated by God Himself.

Furthermore, Jesus made bold claims about His identity that leave no room for ambiguity. In John 10:30, He stated, “I and the Father are one.” His Jewish audience understood this as a claim to divinity, as they sought to stone Him for blasphemy. Thomas, one of His disciples, addressed Him as “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28), and Jesus did not correct him, affirming the truth of the statement.

Why Christmas Matters Today

In a world increasingly hostile to Christianity, Christmas serves as a reminder of the hope and light Jesus brought into the world. As someone who once aligned with socialist ideologies that sought to erase religious traditions in favor of secularism, I now see the value of preserving Christmas as a cornerstone of Western civilization. It is a time to reflect on the boundless love of a God who chose to become vulnerable, to walk among us, and to sacrifice Himself for our sins.

As an ex-Muslim, I also recognize the stark contrast between the impersonal god of Islam and the deeply relational God of Christianity. The Allah of Islam demands submission without offering assurance of salvation, whereas Jesus offers grace, love, and the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 3:16). This truth resonates deeply with me and has transformed my life, giving me a purpose and peace that Islam could never provide.

Jesus Christ is God

For years, I struggled with the Islamic concept of God, which seemed distant and arbitrary. The Quran denies the possibility of God having a son (Quran 112:3), but this denial stems from a misunderstanding of the nature of God. The Christian doctrine of the Trinity reveals that God is one in essence but three in persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This mystery is central to understanding why Jesus is both fully God and fully man.

In Colossians 2:9, Paul writes, “For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” Jesus’ divinity is not an abstract theological concept; it is the very foundation of our salvation. Only God Himself could bear the weight of humanity's sin and conquer death. By rising from the dead, Jesus demonstrated His power over sin and His identity as the eternal God.

A Personal Testament

When I left Islam, I faced backlash from the Muslim community and even threats to my safety. Yet, in Christ, I found a peace that surpassed all understanding (Philippians 4:7). As a former socialist, vegan, and Democrat, I once believed that human systems and ideologies could create utopia. I now know that true hope and salvation can only come through Jesus Christ.

Christmas reminds us that we are not alone, that God Himself entered into human history to save us. For me, as an Iranian-American Christian conservative, this truth is worth celebrating, defending, and proclaiming. Jesus Christ is God, and His birth is the most significant event in human history.