Celebrating Christmas—Celebrating Life

The Christmas season is a time of celebration for Christians. We sing about and rejoice in the birth of the Savior. Friends and family gather for the feast and the little ones rip through their presents. But do not forget this earth-shattering truth: The birth of Jesus was the sign that God had invaded earth. And that gives us the real reason to celebrate Christmas.

The virgin birth made possible the uniting of full deity and full humanity in one person—called the incarnation. Jesus was the God-man. Not God dwelling in a man. Not a man deified; but God and man, combining in one personality the two natures, baffling every possibility of explanation.

I get it now. Christ, the God-man, suffered for me, and for you. Our sin was poured into the sinless Christ at his crucifixion. His righteousness is then poured into us at our conversion. This is what Christians mean by Christ’s atonement for sin. Now when God looks down at us, he sees us through the lens of the Cross—sin free. This is a reason to celebrate life!

The number one need in every person’ life is to be immersed in a personal and intimate relationship with God through Jesus. Everyone needs a relationship with someone that can make then feel safe and loved. Jesus is that person. Acknowledge your need for Jesus. Recognize your vulnerability. Recognize you can no longer carry your burdens. Lay them at Jesus’s feet. Find comfort for your soul.

He is the only one who can touch you without hurting or breaking you. Mankind can’t promise that. He can nurse you back to spiritual health, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. …learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus longed to give people life. All they need to do is come to him. That’s all.