Brothers and Sisters,
I felt it was important to remember what Christmas is truly about and to make sure that we focus on the true meaning instead of falling victim to the worldly view of Christmas. As the world is caught up worshiping the ornaments on the tree and the gifts under them, stressing to get and give those gifts with little to no appreciating. We see people in shopping malls trampling each other without a care about their brother and sister - no regard of life - love that has grown cold. The world/Satan twisting and turning the true meaning of Christmas turning our eyes towards a worldly celebration making idols of materialistic things and worshiping them. Let us understand that none of those things represent the true meaning behind Christmas.
So what is the true meaning of Christmas?
Remembering and celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Whether or not this is the exact day Jesus was born, this is the day that the world recognizes the birth of Jesus Christ!
Praise, Celebrate, and Love!
On this day we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. We do this by praising and thanking God for the most selfless and loving gift of His child, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life! Let us be thankful that one of the main characteristics of God is love “because God is love” (1 John 4:8). The love of God is evident “because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). The Bible proves that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) and even “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more” (Romans 5:10).
In this season let us show each other love and kindness! There are so many times that God tells us to love and be kind to one another, here are just a few (John 13:34) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (Eph 4:31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: (Eph 4:32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Paul described it best when he wrote to the church of Colossians while locked in prison - Colossians 3:12-15 – “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
The Christmas Story in the Bible
The true Christmas Story - Luke 2:4-19.
"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 room for them in the inn.
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’
“When the angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:4-19)
True Meaning of Christmas: Celebrating the Savior
Jesus was born in order to pay the price for the things we have done wrong: sin. God sent his only son to be the atonement for all our sins so that we would not be separated from God. Without Jesus, we would all die for our sins. We inherited our sin nature from the first human beings God created, Adam and Eve. While being fully God and yet fully man, Jesus came into the world as an infant to save us all.
Most Christmas traditions vary in significance and symbolic meaning. For example, we exchange gifts because God sent us the most precious gift: his only Son. Also, the three wise men visited Jesus and brought gifts - suited for their King. A poem titled A Visit from St. Nicholas penned in 1822 popularized the tradition of exchanging gifts too.
Although people worldwide celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25th, it was likely that he was born on in a different month and date. The church in the 4th century chose December 25th as it coordinated with the Solstice on the Roman Calendar. (See: When Was Jesus Born?)
For Christians, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We know that through belief in Jesus Christ we are daughters and sons of God. Heaven will one day be our home. Perhaps this will help you look at the Christmas season differently this year. A chance to truly take in the wonder, awe, and true JOY of the season!
Want to share with you a few videos:
Charlie Brown - True Meaning of Christmas!
President Trump - True Meaning of Christmas!
Comments