Every year people all around the world celebrate Christmas. It’s a time to be with family, loved ones and friends. For many it’s a joyous time but for many it is not. Sometimes Christmas can bring out feelings of loneliness, despair, fear, anxiety, helplessness and so many other feelings like that.
But is the celebration of Christmas really about Jesus?
We’ve all seen the slogan, Jesus is the reason for the season. Most, if not all, know about the birth of Jesus and the Christmas story. You may or may not know that his birth really did not occur on December 25th it was more likely in fall or the spring but early Christians celebrated it in December so we are in good company.
But back to my original question, is Christmas really about Jesus? Let’s look at what the Bible actually says on the subject.
Isaiah 9:6 says, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Who is the child given to? Us, you and I.
John 3:16 states, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Once again, who is God giving his son to? Whoever believes, you and I.
I could go on with many other verses but the point is the Bible is clearly telling us that the birth of Christ was not at all about Jesus, it was all about you and I. You are the reason for the season. God loved you and I so much that he gave us the only gift that would restore our relationship to him. He wanted a relationship with us. God knew we could never live well enough according to His holiness and so he created the only way we could have our relationship restored. A gift, given freely to all if you will accept it. What a wonderful loving God who would create a way when there was no way.
Be cheerful because the God of the universe created this beautiful day for you. Because he loves you that much.
Merry Christmas,
David Mulvaney