Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!
What is Christmas to you? What thoughts first come to mind? What happy memories does this season do you recall?
To some people this special holiday means:
- parties
- Santa Claus
- reindeer
- mistletoe
- eggnog
- buying gifts
- holiday sales and discounts
- pine trees and decorations
- a holiday bonus
- TV specials and movie releases
- a few days off from work
- candy and treats
- sending cards
- mouthwatering desserts
- passing on well wishes to others
- bells ringing
- year-end giving
- snowmen and snow flakes
- eating and drinking too much
- time with family and friends
- carol singing
- happy childhood memories
You surely related to some things on this list, perhaps all of them. But what is Christmas to you? What does it mean? What is the most important part of it?
These things are all part of what Christmas has become, but have little to do with what it means. Christmas is Jesus’s birthday. Happy birthday Jesus!
Two-thousand years ago, Jesus pointed a new way to God. He came out of love and he came to give.
So when we give gifts to each other on Christmas, it is really a reminder of Jesus loving us and giving himself to us.
In this way, we can keep the true spirit of Christmas alive by following Jesus’ example of loving and giving—and not just at Christmastime, but every day, throughout the year.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!
Celebrate Christmas in a fresh way with The Advent of Jesus. It’s a forty-day devotional that prepares our hearts to celebrate the arrival of Jesus in an engaging read. Begin your Advent journey now and gain a greater sense of wonder for the season.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.