What do you think the meaning is of Christmas? Is it about who gets the most
presents? Is it about who can be the most giving? Is it about spending time with
family? Is it about being nice to people? No. It’s not really about any of those
things.
Long ago (over 2,000 years!), when the time was right, a baby
was born. This was no ordinary baby. This baby was special. This baby would grow
up to save the world. Seems like a mother’s over imaginative mind, doesn’t it?
But it wasn’t, the angels confirmed it.
Luke
2: 8-14 NKJV tells us: “Now there were in the same country shepherds living
out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an
angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be
afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all
people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who
is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a
Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was
with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 1 4 “
Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"" And
Shepherds went to find the child the angels told them about.
Kings from
a distant land came bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, for they
knew what the prophets said about this baby in Isaiah
53 NKJV . All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, turning to our own way.
But He will be bruised for our transgressions and by His strips we are healed.
God laid the punishment of our sins upon Him. The wages of sin is death, but the
gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
When we celebrate
Christmas our thoughts are on the miracle of God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness
towards us. The Bible is very clear that all of us have sinned and sin deserves
death ( Romans
3:23 and 6:23
NKJV ). But God’s gracious favor provides the forgiveness we need and a way
out of death. He gave Himself in our place, so we could live in Him and have
eternal life forever with God! Jesus is the reason for the season!
So,
why do we give gifts at Christmas time? It’s because God gave us the ultimate
gift – the gift of eternal life. We give out of grateful hearts that know we
have been forgiven. We give out of love for God, who first loved us and sent His
son to die for us.
Christmas is a time to remember all Jesus has done
for us. It’s a time to celebrate we have been forgiven. We are adopted into
God’s family and were granted a new life in Christ and as a result, we have a
place in heaven when we leave this life! Praise God, for He is good! That is the
true meaning of Christmas to me.
Elizabeth Marks has a heart for encouraging and equipping others with God's Word.Go to www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com for daily renewal from God’s Word.
Very simple and touching -- right to the heart, where the spirit needs it. Thanks for taking my heart back to the Christ of Christmas, and the God who sent us His indescribable gift, the ultimate Christmas present. Thanks, Elizabeth. ~mogama~
Thanks for writing this. I am not a religious person but I do know the true meaning of Christmas...this is acticle is a reminder what the true meaning is really about...NOT SANTA.
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