I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15
The Fall of Adam and Eve caused Christmas. It caused thousands of years of conflict culminating in the most subversive act in history- the birth of a child. That child was predicted in Genesis 3:15.
When we think about how God dealt with our sin, Christmas is most likely not the first Christian holiday that comes to mind. Easter usually gets that nod. We know that Easter is about the death and resurrection of Jesus, and that his death paid for our sins.
Genesis 3:15 is one of those verses that raises more questions than it answers it seems. Why does he refer to the woman’s “offspring” or “seed?” Isn’t that more of a man thing? The seed?
Who is or are the woman’s offspring?
What does all this bruising of heads and heels mean?
Genesis 3:15 predicts God’s rescue mission. He will become the “offspring of the woman.” He will bruise the head of Satan with a fatal blow. God is so jealous for us, so in love with us, that He doesn’t run from this war. He decides to enter it and declares victory at its outset. God is also so holy and righteous that He cannot stand sin and evil ruining His creation, including you.
Eve’s “offspring” is all of humanity. But Jesus is the representative of all humanity. In his birth, his life, his death and his resurrection, he brings with himself a new humanity. A humanity that will see Satan crushed under our feet (Romans 16:20).
Jesus’ birth and his perfect life allow for his death. They allow for his victory over sin and death. They allow us to be more than conquerors. They allow us to overcome the fear of death and the curse of death. This is the promise of Genesis 3:15. This is the promise of Christmas.
The story starts at Genesis 3:15. Christmas is the beginning of the climax of the story. The hero is born in humility to make himself accessible to all people. He will exchange his life for ours. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
