The
Christmas story is recorded in Luke 2:4-19.
“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 and line of David. He went
there to register 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.
“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 the
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.’
“When the
angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has
told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,
who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word
concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were
amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these
things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:4-19)
True
Meaning of Christmas: Celebrating the Savior
Jesus was
born in order to pay the price for the things we have done wrong: sin. God sent
his only son to be the atonement for all our sins so that we would not be
separated from God. Without Jesus, we would all die for our sins. We inherited
our sin nature from the first human beings God created, Adam and Eve. While
being fully God and yet fully man, Jesus came into the world as an infant to
save us all.
Most
Christmas traditions vary in significance and symbolic meaning. For example, we
exchange gifts because God sent us the most precious gift: his only Son. Also,
three wisemen visited Jesus and brought gifts as well. A poem titled A Visit
from St. Nicholas penned in 1822 popularized the tradition of exchanging
gifts too.
Although people worldwide celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25th, it was likely that he was born on in a different month and date. The church in the 4th century chose December 25th as it coordinated with the Solstice on the Roman Calendar. For Christians, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the Savior, Jesus Christ. We know that through belief in the Christ we are daughters and sons of God. Heaven will one day be our home. Perhaps this will help you look at the Christmas season differently this year. A chance to truly take in the wonder and awe of the season. Courtesy of Christianity.com