Take time to remember the real meaning of Christmas

Today our Jacobs Well girls put on an amazing Christmas Performance for the staff. It was truly wonderful! I love them so much - it was all I could do not to cry as they danced, sang and performed a skit on Jesus' birth. I spoke on "the meaning of Christmas". I'll share that message with you as well...

Every birth is a miracle, and every child is a gift from God. But ~20 centuries ago, there was the miracle of miracles. A baby was born, and he was the son of God.

Christmas is the time we remember the birth of Jesus Christ – which was the greatest gift that man has ever received. This gift is something that should be celebrated each and every day of the year.

Rather than Christmas being a time that is focused on giving and receiving earthly gifts, this holiday should be a time that is focused upon the gift of God and the real meaning of Christmas, which is the redemption and reconciliation of man to God through the LORD Jesus Christ.

We have allowed the world to take over Christmas and make it a time of man-made traditions. During the holiday season, we are bombarded with ads that urge us to spend money.

To turn that around we need to remember that the true meaning of Christmas is that God gave us a gift that we did not deserve and could not earn. It is the gift of eternal life, through choosing to accept God's gift of grace.

As we are reminded in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"

So this Christmas season, I urge you to do 3 things:

1. Rediscover the joy of giving. If you do give gifts, try to give gifts with eternal importance rather than earthly gifts. See if you can find some small way to further God’s kingdom. (if you need ideas, consider giving to Partners International through the "Harvest of Hope" program or Women and Children's Fund)

2. Make the season really magical! Find ways to start Christmas traditions with your family or friends that reflect on the true meaning of this holiday.

3. Spend some time with God reminding him that you do know the real reason for Christmas and thanking the Lord for the enormous gift that he gave us so long ago.

I praise the Lord that we all can share God’s gift of grace and that we will forever be sisters and brothers in God’s wonderful kingdom. That is a truly wonderful gift.

Merry Christmas!