We’ve all heard the expression, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” But what does that phrase even mean? How can one child, born in a stable, change the entire trajectory of our world?

With Christmas just weeks away, let’s dive deeper into the reason for the season and not focus on the gift-giving, the delicious family dinner, and the festive decor. Instead, let’s find gratitude in the birth of our Lord and Savior and His selflessness to lay aside his heavenly glory so that he might be born in human likeness.

I have three small children, and I had envisioned what the Christmas season would look like for them in our home for years. However, it wasn’t until one year I was substitute teaching in a classroom and the morning message was to ask the kids about what they did, what they got, or where they went over the Christmas break. So let me cut to the punch line…every single child but one rattled off the crazy expensive, ridiculous amounts of gifts they received. As I went around the room, I sank into my chair, baffled at how so many of our children today could only view this season for the presents.

One little girl stood out to me that day. When it was her turn to speak, she sheepishly said I went to church with my family, and we sang carols to the Lord, and on Christmas day, I got books! Lots of books! But my favorite one was a new Bible with my name on it!

Praise Be!

I nearly leaped out of my chair and hugged this child as she lit up, explaining to her friends why they meant so much to her. Let me be very clear: I teach in a public school where any attempt to speak to children about religion is frowned upon, even if they bring it up to you. So I asked open-ended questions and let this little ray of sunshine bubble over her love for the Lord. If anything, her understanding of the reason for Christmas was far greater than most adults!

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I tell you this story because I, too, have misunderstood the reason for the season by being caught up decorating my house just right. I’ve been overly concerned with wrapping all the gifts in a specific pattern of paper with ribbons and making the Christmas card photo shoot picture-perfect. However, all of that doesn’t matter. What matters is the hope and the love bestowed upon us in the most selfless act ever… Jesus became human so that He could one day die for us.

Now, don’t stop reading because you feel ashamed that you do what I’ve done with the holiday… don’t stop here because you think you know the real reason for the season… keep reading as you will walk away with a nugget or two…I promise!

3 Truths About Christmas

1. God became flesh so that we could live for eternity with Him. God became a man because of His everlasting love for each and every one of us.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

2. Jesus was to bring light in the darkness.

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46)

3. To show us by example how to live in true humility.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)

My prayer for you this season is to be like my student and be so excited and grateful for Jesus’ life. He was birthed into this world through a miraculous event so that we could see and feel His Almighty glory. My hope for you and your loved ones is that you take time to pause this month from all the hustle and bustle of shopping, wrapping, and parties to be with the Lord. Show your gratitude to Him for His ultimate sacrifice that changed the trajectory of our world.