Finding Christmas

What if Christmas is NOT about the kids? Don’t get me wrong, for most people, regardless of age, this is their favorite season of the year. The cold crisp air, peppermint hot chocolate, decorating the tree, and soon-to-be-wrapped presents under the tree. As much as it may be done for the kids, it is not so much done by the kids. As you drive around town and see all the lights hung on houses or the gifts being loaded into cars, it is the parents that are out making Christmas happen. All of this is an expression of their kindness, love, and generosity. If the adults were not doing the giving, then no one would be getting.

Let's take this one step further, after all, maybe Christmas is not as much about the adults as we would like to think. In fact, we adults are the intended recipients of a much greater gift. In fact, the reality of Christmas is in the name, CHRISTmas. It is a season of remembering that God is benevolent, kind, generous, and giving. Consider any system of religion for a moment. Each one of them has a set list of rules and regulations and as long as you perform correctly, you will be ok in eternity. If you don’t measure up and do what you are supposed to, then your hope will melt away just like snow in the spring. It is incredibly interesting that when you compare religions, at the core they are very similar. True, they come from different places, they have different leaders, and their requirements vary from one group to another but when it’s all said and done, finding forgiveness comes from the same stringent “works-based” ideology.

Consider Jesus Christ for just a moment. Even if you don’t like Christians, you have to consider Christ, there has never been anyone like Him. The Bible teaches that mankind is unable to work off the debt of sin and while doing good deeds is a wonderful thing but it does not take away sin. God Himself knew that we would never be able to deal with our own sin so He Himself delt with it for us. The Bible says that the Lord desires that no one would perish but that all would have everlasting life and so, Jesus humbled Himself and came in the likeness of man, and then took our deserved judgment upon the cross so that we could receive the gift of eternal life. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting lift.

Even with all of God’s power and grace, the decision is up to you. Just like you could choose to leave a gift under the tree, never open it, and never receive it. You can leave the gift of forgiveness right where Christ left it. Just know that there is no other way. The reality is that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no one will get to heaven unless it is through faith in Christ. Please, dear friend, beware of the lie that doing good deeds will pay off your eternal debt. God’s Word says that you are saved by grace through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, and not of works. By faith, turn from your sins and towards the Savior. Talk to God and tell Him that you believe in what He did for you on the cross, that you receive the gift of eternal life, and that you want Him to be the Lord over your life. If you are sincere in your decision and prayer, you are forgiven by God. I pray this is the greatest CHRISTmas you will have ever had. (Romans 3:23, John 3:16, Philippians 2:5-8, John 14:6, Ephesians 2:8-9)