“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” Luke 2:4-7
During the Christmas season, we are so easily distracted by shopping, gift wrapping and holiday parties that we quickly forget the reason we celebrate. As Christmas nears, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The story of the first Christmas isn’t a fairy tale or a story only to be told at Christmastime. It is a true story of God’s immense love for mankind. It is a story of love to be told year round. God loved man so much that He sent His only Son to be born of a virgin, live a sinless life and die as a sacrifice for the sin of all men. It is through Christ’s death, burial and resurrection three days later that we have hope of eternal life after life here on earth ends.
As you give and receive gifts this Christmas season, remember the greatest gift ever given — the gift of life from the God of the universe to you. By choosing to accept this gift, and believe in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ to cover the gap between you and the perfect God, you too can have eternal life. You need not do anything other than believe
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
This Christmas, take a moment to stop amidst the craziness of the season and reflect on what Christmas truly means. You are the recipient of the greatest gift of all time — Jesus.
Merry Christmas!
