FAMILY FAITH:True meaning of Christmas

A friend of mine and I recently visited an entertainment spot in town that is known for its beautiful Christmas decorations. Upon arrival, we found the place completely devoid of any ornamentation.

We inquired of an employee as to why they did not have decorations up in mid-December. The employee replied, “It is not the purpose of this establishment to trim for Christmas.” My friend politely responded, “We understand, but it was beautiful last year.”

We walked away and I had a feeling of sorrow. Of course, it is no one’s “job,” except perhaps the church’s, to celebrate Christmas. But nonetheless, it is festivities such as these that add enjoyment to our lives, making it fuller. The little things in life can add color and purpose to the ordinary.

As we walked around, I reflected on the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus Himself declared his reason for coming: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17, Holy Bible, New International Version).

We are all sinners in need of a Savior. God sent his Son to be born as a fully human, fully divine infant. This child grew into a man, to be crucified for our sins, because we have no way of entering heaven on our own. We can never be righteous enough. Self-righteous humans do not even recognize the full need for their salvation. But when we declare ourselves as sinners, then we have the ability to see our need, the necessity for Jesus as our Savior.

We can do nil to earn our salvation on our own. No amount of obedience, holiness or Christian work has created our path into heaven, for all have fallen short of the glory of God. And those who travel what they may feel is a straighter course than others have only to live a day longer to see that they too can fall. We all fall. We are all dead in our transgressions, even those who may seem most holy to us.

It is simply because of God’s great love for us that we have been provided with a way to obtain salvation — by accepting Jesus Christ into our heart as Lord and Savior. That is the only option, the only way to the Father, the only way to eternal life in heaven. This season, take the time to reflect on the magnitude of this gift. I think sometimes, as Christians, we focus on the fact that we are saved, perhaps even take it for granted. But we are blessed to even encompass salvation, which is never within our own power to obtain, but simply a gift. A gift given in the form of an infant in a manger.

My prayer is, “Lord, I am a sinner saved by grace. You owe me nothing, yet gave me everything.” Let us focus on that in utmost humility this holiday.