What is the true meaning of Christmas

1. "Whatis the true meaningof Christmas?" – 22nd December2016
“But when the set time had fullycome, Godsent hisSon, born ofa woman,born under the law, 5
to
redeem those underthe law,that we mightreceive adoptiontosonship” (Galatians4:4-5).
Whenwe use the word"meaning",we're talkingaboutthe purposeof hisbirththatChristmasis
supposedtocelebrate. Hispurpose wastoenterintothe worldandbecome one of us that he might
deliverusfromoursins.Jesusisnotjustany man. He is God inflesh: “ForinChristall the fullnessofthe
Deity lives inbodilyform”(Colossians2:9). He is the secondpersonof the Trinitywho,bybeingbornof
the VirginMary, was made underthe law as we learnfrom Galatians4:4-5, “Butwhen the set time had
fullycome, Godsent hisSon, born ofa woman,born under the law, 5
to redeem those under the law,
that we might receive adoptionto sonship.” He wassubjectto the same temptationsandlimitations
that we are.Christmasisthe celebrationof the historical eventof where Godenteredintoourworldso
that he mightdisplaythe perfectionandholinessof Godand thatthrough hiswork and example of living
perfectlyandalsodyingonthe cross forour sins,that all who trusts inhimwouldbe savedfrom
the righteous judgmentof God.
The bestanswerto the questionwithregardstothe meaningof Christmas islove. We can learnfrom
John3:16-17, "ForGod soloved the world that he gave hisone and onlySon, that whoever believesin
himshall not perish but haveeternal life. 17
ForGod didnot send hisSon intothe worldto condemn
the world, but to save the worldthrough him." Because of Hislove God demonstratedthis bysending
His ownsonto save us frometernal damnation. The true meaningof Christmasisthe celebrationof this
incredibleFREEGIFT of God’sLove for mankind.
The real Christmasstoryisthe story of God becominga humanbeinginthe Personof Jesus Christ.Why
didGod do such a thing?Because He lovesus!Whywas Christmasnecessary?Because we neededa
Savior!WhydoesGod love usso much? Because He islove itself aswe learnfrom 1 John 4:8, “Whoever
doesnot love doesnot know God,because God is love.” Whydo we celebrate Christmaseachyear?
Out of gratitude forwhat God didforus, we rememberHisbirthbygivingeachothergifts,worshipping
Him,and beingespeciallyconsciousof the poorandlessfortunate. Butintoday’sworld,mostof us
forgetto reciprocate thisgreatgift givenformankind. YesduringChristmaswe docelebrate this,butit
iswithina handful of yourfamilyandmaybe a few friends.Itistrue thatwe donot have sufficient
financestogiftthe entire community.Butwe canfind a way!
Dependingonthe availabilityof finance –if eachChristian decide toreciprocate thisgreatgiftby
offeringamomentof happiness justforONEpoorand lessfortunate personorfamily, thenwe have set
inmotionGod’slove as He requiresamong eachother.We can learnthiswhen Jesusteachesusin
Matthew 22:37 -40, Jesusreplied: “‘Lovethe Lord your Godwith all your heart and withall your soul
and withall your mind.’ 38
This isthe firstand greatest commandment. 39
Andthe second is likeit:
‘Love your neighboras yourself.’40
All the Law and the Prophets hangon these two commandments.”
Most may say that thisisNOT possible…How canIlove the nextdoorfamilyasmuch as I love myown
children?AsChristianswe mustbearinmindthatthislove as requiredbyGod isNOT the physical love
that immediately comestomind.
Yes thatis notpossible. Butwhen Godsaysto love yourneighbor,itissharingwiththe those whohave
less;compassion tofeel theirneedasyou wouldfeel whenyouare needy: absolutehonestyandjustice
inour relationshipswithothers;impartiality;arefusal tobe a party to ill deeds orslander;anabsence of
malice towardanyone anda refusal tobear a grudge;takingcare nevertoput another’slife atriskand

2. nevertakingprivate vengeance uponanother.Itisalsointerestingtonote thatwhenwe have an issue
withanyone,we shouldstrive tomake itrightbygoingto himor herdirectly.Jamescallsthisthe “royal
law”as we readfin James 2:8, “Ifyou reallykeep the royal law foundin Scripture,“Love your neighbor
as yourself,” youare doingright.”
Christmasisthe time of year where we celebrate the birthof Christ.But,unfortunately,it'sbecome a
commercial holidayratherthana religiousone.Whenwe celebrate the birthof JesusChristisfine,but
alwaysbearinginmind the reasonforthe season!Unfortunatelyamajorityof people todaythinkof
Christmasas a time forbusinessestomake money,forpeople togive gifts,forchildrentobe excited,for
parties,etc. All thatisacceptable as longas Christians, fromall walksof life,alwaysrememberthatthe
"reasonforthe season"isJesus,notgifts,notparties,andnotwatching"the big business game"thatis
playedbymany. Of course,havingcelebrations,attendingparties etcisnotwrong.It's justthat the
meaningof Christmasissupposedtobe a recognitionof andappreciationof the birthof the one who
dearlyloves usanddiedforin ourplace.
Therefore we canreiterate thatthe true meaningof Christmasislove.GodlovedHisownandprovided
a way—the onlyWay—foroursalvationso thatwe could spendeternitywithHim. Toenable this He
gave His onlySonto take our punishmentforoursins.He paidthe price in full,andwe are free from
condemnationwhenwe acceptthatfree giftof love. We know thatwe are sinners butyetGod sent
JesusChristas the atoningsacrifice tosetus free fromthe tentaclesof the evil one.He enabledthisby
demonstratingHislove forusevenwhenwe were sinnersaswe learnfrom Romans5:8, "But God
demonstratedHis own love for us inthis: whilewe were still sinners, Christdiedfor us." Therefore
JesusgivesmeaningtoChristmas.JesuswhowasGodin flesh,perfect,pure,holy,andwhodiedonthe
cross and rose fromthe dead,is the one whogivesthe true meaningtoChristmas.