A couple of weeks ago, I was asked what Christmas means to me. As many of us do, I could have readily responded with the popular, obvious answers to this question; yet, these felt trite to me, in the moment. 

This question has floated in and out, meandering through my thoughts ….. “What does Christmas mean to me?” 

This morning, I had the privilege of attending church and witnessing a dear friend’s water baptism. The sermon that followed was nourishment and encouraging to my heart. And, as I sat in the midst of Jesus’ corporate body, the answer emerged inside of me. …. 

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1John 3:1, NKJV)

“And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:9-14, NASB)

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10, NASB)

As we celebrate Jesus’ birth,  (Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ) is the original Hebrew name for Jesus, meaning “salvation” or “the Lord saves,” derived from the root for deliverance), God the Father’s gift to us, declaring “Peace on earth, goodwill toward mankind… with good news of great joy…” 

I ponder God’s heart toward us, that from before the foundation of the world, God the Father and God the Son made a covenant. The Beloved Son would agree to come to earth; Who, “as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:6-7)

… that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them … (2 Corinthians 5:19, NASB)

My heart’s response to Christmas …… Gratitude. 

I am grateful the Creator of the Universe would choose us. We are His chosen, His children, His heirs. 

I am grateful that He made the way for us to be in a loving relationship with Him, the One Who is profoundly good. 

I am grateful that He is with us (Immanuel); that He is for us; that He will never leave us or forsake us. 

I am grateful that He “is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in mercy.” (Psalm 103:8, NASB)

I am grateful that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, ESV)

I am grateful that Jesus went to prepare a place for us. That He is coming again and will take us to Himself, so that where He is, we will also be. (John 14:3, NASB)

No greater love than this has humanity ever known ….. 

“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, we also are in this world.” (1 John 4:15-17, NASB)

Until His return ….. “As He is, we are also in this world.” 

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Jesus.