The Meaning of Christmas
What is the meaning of Christmas? The meaning isn’t about parties, trees, gifts and family gatherings. It’s not a holiday—it’s a Holy day because God came to be a part of our lives.
“God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him will never perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Christmas is about the giving of His Son to you and me.
Isaiah prophesied that the Son of God would be named Jesus. He would be called Emmanuel—which means “God with us.” John said, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) Jesus came into the world to forgive us of our sins. He came to turn our lives upside down. He came to make a radical difference in everything that we do.
One day a woman blurted out to a group of people, “I hate Christmas, It turns everything upside down.” You know, she was exactly right. You cannot celebrate the Christmas Season in a responsible, thoughtful, meaningful way without having your life changed. God came in the form of Jesus to change our lives and make things totally different because He makes us totally different.
For me, Luke sums up the meaning of Christmas when he quotes the angels saying to the shepherds, “Behold, I bring you good news, which is for all the people, for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) Let’s break that down:
- IT IS POSITIVE—”Good News.” The world has enough bad news. We need some good news! It is never fake news. It is not created by artificial intelligence. It’s positive because it comes from God. The birth of Jesus is the best news the world has ever heard.
- IT IS PERSONAL—”To you.” Jesus wasn’t just offered to “humankind” or those of you in “TV land” or people in general. It’s personal because it is for you specifically. God loves you so much that He gave His Son for you.
- IT IS PROPHETIC—”Is born.” Isaiah prophesied “The Lord will choose this sign. Look, the virgin will conceive a child. She will give birth to a Son and will call Him Emmanuel; God is with us.” (Isaiah 7:14)
- IT IS A PLAN—”This day.” Paul says that “When the right time came, God sent His Son born of a woman subject to the law. (Galatians 4:4) The plan was perfectly conceived and executed.
- IT WAS A PLACE—“in the City of David.” Micah writes, “Oh Bethlehem, you are only a small village in Judah, yet a ruler of Israel will come from you. (Micah 5:2)
- IT IS A PROVISION—“a Savior.” God sent Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice to cover our sins. (John 3:16) “You shall call His name Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
- IT IS A PERSON—“Christ the Lord.” Jesus wasn’t an idea, nor a fictitious character, nor created by AI. “God became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) He is a real Person.
I invite you to give Jesus a chance with your life. Go to church. You probably won’t hear anything new in a sermon or music or scripture. You will hear some old things, but you will be reminded of things that never fail and reminded of Someone who never lets you down, or lets you go, or lets you off. Jesus is God’s gift to you and me. Please receive His gift!!
What does Christmas mean to you?
