The Meaning of Christmas
For many of us, Christmas is one of our favorite times of the year. It’s nice to get a break from our normal routines and spend time with family and friends. Many of us have special Christmas customs and traditions, including decorations, meals, songs, and exchanging gifts with loved ones. All of these things are nice, but do they convey the true meaning of Christmas? If we slow down and strip away the layers of glitter, commercialism, and tradition that surround the celebration of Christmas, the holiday’s true meaning becomes easier to see. We remember the message of the angel to the shepherds: “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) Christmas is the day that we celebrate the birth of the Christ — Jesus, the Son of God. He came to deal once and for all with the problem of sin that separates us from God. Why is it so important that we believe in Jesus? Because God has made it clear that forgiveness of sins isn’t based on what we do for Him — it’s based entirely on what He has done for us. The gift of eternal life was purchased when Jesus, the sinless sacrifice, died on the cross for our sins. Now He is risen from the dead and offers forgiveness and new life to everyone who approaches Him with a repentant heart and trusts Him as their Savior. Christmas is all about God’s great love for us and the priceless gift that He offers to all.
