I imagine that like me, the onset of every holiday season brings with it memories of past Christmas’—the delightful and unique sounds, sights and smells of this most wonderful time of the year! For me, playing and singing Christmas carols; dazzling lights; fir, pine, and cinnamon fragrances; pristine snowfalls, mouthwatering baked goods; squeals of joy; the lighting of candles ensconced in an advent wreathe; and Christmas Eve services featuring a live nativity and the narration of Luke 2 all evoke memories of Christmas’ past. Yes, I looked forward with great anticipation to receiving Christmas presents, even though they would pale in comparison to today’s standard for gift giving. However, with a very few exceptions I can’t remember any of the gifts I received, and all of them have been discarded long ago. 

I realize now more than ever that Christmas joy isn’t wrapped up in beautiful colored paper and tied with bows and ribbons. It isn’t even about the almost ‘magical’ sights, sounds and scents I remember so vividly from my childhood. True joy is only found in knowing Jesus, the One who is ‘the reason for the season’. And it is only because Jesus, our Creator, first loved us and gave His life for us that we are even able to have unconditional, unselfish, ’true love’ for our families and friends with whom we gather at holidays and throughout the year. (1 John 4:19) He Who is ‘Perfect Love’ is alone able to cast out all fear and rule and reign in our hearts as the ‘Prince of Peace’. (1 John 4:18; Isaiah 9:6; 2 Thess. 3:16)

Our hearts, our nation, and the world are in despair— full of fear, worry, anxiety, hopelessness, division and discord, because most people have forgotten about—or have never known and put their trust in— the Person Who’s supposed to be at the center of our CHRISTmas celebration! Have you noticed that in most of the Christmas decorations that adorn public spaces— as well as the outdoor and indoor decor of many homes— Jesus is absent, or a nativity scene may be put alongside Santa, sleighs, reindeer, snowmen or other secular signs of the season. We are like the Israelites who once worshipped God alone and experienced His great blessing, and then forsook Him to serve idols and reaped the rewards of their unfaithfulness. Far more significantly, there is a substantial decrease in those who attend church—throughout the year, and even at Christmas. And grievously, only even a small percentage of those who profess to be Christians believe Jesus is the only Way to the Father! We are suffering because we do not know and put our faith in the One Who came to earth to suffer for our sakes and reconcile us to a Holy God, the Hope of the World! 

My life has been transformed by believing the truth that was shared long ago by the angel who appeared to the shepherds in Bethlehem that, ‘unto you is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’. (Luke 2:10-11) It means that I have received the greatest gift of all time, a gift that never can be taken from me and will be for all eternity— freedom from the power of sin, including freedom from fear, worry and anxiety; freedom from the guilt and shame that is the result of sin; and freedom from the penalty of sin, which is death. I am now a child of God, and as a child, an heir of all that is His! (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:16-17)) I’m now able to experience abundant life in Jesus! That includes His abiding presence and the awareness of His lavish, unfailing love for me; peace that surpasses all human understanding; and joy even in the midst of the trials and tribulations of life. I also have the gift of the assurance that I will spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven— and with all those who put their faith in His atoning death— where there will be ‘no more tears or sorrow’ but rather, ‘joy and pleasures forevermore’.  (Revelation 21:4; Psalm 16:11) In addition, I’ve been made a part of a new family—the family of God that consists of all from throughout the world and throughout history who put their faith in Jesus’ atoning death on their behalf. What a beautiful, blessed fellowship I enjoy as a member of the Body of Christ!

Is there any greater gift you could receive than this? Is there any greater gift that you could give to others than sharing with them the freedom from sin and the abundant and eternal life they can experience by receiving Jesus as their personal Savior? 

This Christmas, if you know Jesus, I encourage you to savor and ponder the priceless gift of salvation you have and all that is found in a life dedicated to living for His glory. I also encourage you to boldly and lovingly share the life-changing truth of the gospel with family, friends and all those the Lord puts in your path so that they too can experience true and everlasting joy through a relationship with Jesus. Knowing Him is not only the greatest gift you’ll ever receive, but also the knowledge of Him is the greatest gift you can ever give—a gift that is a wellspring of joy, and will last for all eternity! 

Lord, thank You for coming to earth, to be born a man, so that I might be ‘born again’ and have fellowship with You, the Creator and Sustainer of the world, and the ‘King of Kings’ and ‘Lord of lords’! Because of Your life in me, I have peace and joy the world can never know apart from You. May my heart always be full of gratitude toward You for all that You have given to me! May I be found faithful to share the gift of You and your lavish, unfailing love that alone is able to cast out all fear and remove despair from a world that ‘in sin and error is pining’. I rejoice that You came to earth, and that You are the Source of all love, peace, joy and hope, all of which I have in You! May You be glorified in my life in the year ahead— and in the lives of all who profess to know You as Savior and Lord—as we shine forth the light of your love so that others will also know You, the glorious Light of the World Who shines forth and has overcome the darkness! I pray this in the Name above every name, the Name of Jesus, the One to whom every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 O Holy Night

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born

O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming

Here come the Wise Men from Orient land

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger

In all our trials born to be our friend

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger

Behold your King; before Him lowly bend

Behold your King; before Him lowly bend

Truly He taught us to love one another

His law is love and His Gospel is Peace

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother 

And in HIs name, all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we

Let all within us Praise His Holy name

Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!

His power and glory evermore proclaim

His power and glory evermore proclaim