Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone! ❤️

Mark 1:30-32, 34, 37

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.’ ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel said, ‘…nothing is impossible with God.’”

My mom passed down her intense love of Christmas to both my brother and myself. Like her, her dad (my grandpa), was also obsessed with all things Christmas. I love decorating for the holidays while watching Christmas movies, wrapping presents, listening to Christmas music, and watching Hallmark Countdown to Christmas. I love cooking, giving, and the joy around the entire season. However, all of this pales in comparison to the true reason for Christmas.

Isaiah 9:6

“For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

The birth of Jesus had been prophesied hundreds of years before His birth. And no matter what our circumstances, the holiday season can bring great joy. It is a reminder of God’s great love for each and every one of us. Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection give us truth, love, and hope; He brings salvation when we trust in Him.

Mark 2:4-7

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house of the line of David. He went there to register [for the census] with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

The humble birth of Jesus, in a stable, changes the way we celebrate Christmas. It’s not about getting gifts; it’s about the gift of the Messiah. Christmas is not about lighting Christmas trees; it’s about the grace of a loving God lighting up our lives. A God that loved us so much He would send His own Son to earth as a newborn baby, to be crucified for our sins over 30 years later.

Mark 2:8-13

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the Heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’”

We give gifts at Christmas because God gave us the greatest gift: His Son. (Also, because of the Magi who brought gifts to baby Jesus). Jesus died in our place, so that we can spend eternity in Heaven with Him. When we invite Jesus into our heart and accept Him as our Savior, we know joy, happiness, peace, and hope like never before.

Matthew 2:1-2, 9, 11

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’ The star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. [The Magi] saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. They opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh.”

Jesus, the Savior, is the reason for the season! He was born of a virgin, lived a holy, perfect, sinless, and pure life, then selflessly gave His life for us. Jesus gives true meaning to a Merry Christmas.

John 3:16-17

“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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

Praise Jesus!

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas! ❤️ 💚