The Meaning of Christmas

Have you noticed that everything is beginning to look like Christmas?  The most popular holiday is just around the corner.  On my early morning walks, I see more and more wreaths being hung and more lights shining. Stores are completely decked out with Christmas goodies and every town is having their Christmas Parade.

The very first Christmas did without all of these. The very first Christmas started a frenzy without the power of the TV, without candy canes, without Santa and without Christmas sales. The very first Christmas involved a poor couple who laid the most precious child in a manger. (Luke 2:4-7)

I didn’t go shopping on Black Friday but many did!  The crowds were tremendous and the attitudes of those buying were far from loving.  The first Christmas was the celebration of the birth of Christ, the Savior who came to this world to die… for everyone, even those who killed him.  (Romans 5:8) Jesus was God’s gift not to the deserving, not to the Jews, but to everyone. (Colossians 3:11)

Today, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas… Peace on earth, good will toward Men, for the Savior has come to show us how to love, and to give us the greatest gift of love. (John 15:13) Instead of buying out the store, think of how you can give to those that would normally go without. Ask yourself how you can help others who are not as fortunate as you.  Show them the true meaning of Christmas, the gift of God’s love (John 13:34) and love others as God first loved you.  (I John 4:19)

God gave us a sign.  The sign is a Son. The Son’s name is Immanuel – God with us. Matthew 1:23 tells us about the birth of Christ. Jesus would be “Immanuel”.  He would not be just a representative of God, but He would be God in the flesh, coming to rescue His people from the despair of sin. Today, He invites us to embrace Immanuel and know that He’s with us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Immanuel – Jesus, your son.  May I rejoice in His presence and love today.  Amen.

Isaiah 7:14 – The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Author: Tommy Herndon