The last two weeks we’ve studied about what the lights and carols of Christmas mean to me. This week I’m writing about what the birth of Christmas means to me, and hopefully to you as well. As we know, Jesus’ birth was the first Christmas, and He is God’s gift to the world because He loves us so very much. In response, we celebrate Jesus’ birthday each year by giving gifts to those we love. We give presents to each other in honor of God giving us His present to us – His Son Jesus. And what a glorious gift He is!

Let’s be sure to understand that Christmas is all about love. First, it’s about God’s love for us, and secondly, it’s about our love for Him. He showed us how much He loves us by giving us His Son, and we show how much we love Him by our kindness in giving gifts to our loved ones. God’s gift to us – Jesus – is priceless, costly, and precious. Though the gifts we exchange with each other may vary in cost, they represent the love we have for one another.

Since God has given us His best gift – salvation in Jesus – let’s celebrate by giving our best gift to God – our heart. If you have not accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, this is the season, this is time, this is the day to do so.

The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned. That means that everyone needs to be saved. Jesus told Nicodemus that “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

We find in Romans 5:12 the answer to why everyone needs to be saved; for through one man, sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. Adam’s disobedience (sin) made all people sinners and thus brought condemnation and judgement to all. Christ’s obedience enables all to become righteous and therefore receive eternal life. (Romans 5:19, John 3:16-18)

So, what do you do with this knowledge that you need a savior and that Jesus is the only one who can save you? I’m glad you asked. You follow the instructions in Romans 10:9-10. You believe in your heart and confess (say) with your mouth that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin by dying on the Cross; and that God raise Him to life again; and you shall be saved. You could pray this way; “God, I acknowledge that I’m a sinner and in need of a savior. I believe in my heart that Jesus died for my sins and that You raised Him from the dead. The Bible says that when I confess Jesus as Lord, I shall be saved, so I confess Jesus as my Savior and Lord and now believe that I am saved. I thank you God for giving me eternal life through faith in Jesus.”

If you have said that prayer for the first time, or as a re-dedication to the Lord, I say “welcome to the family of God”! I encourage you to get a Bible and begin reading it each day to learn who you are in Christ, and what promises belong to you as a child of God.  Begin your reading in the New Testament.

This is what the birth of Christmas means to me: God’s gift of eternal life through our faith in Jesus. His Salvation includes being made righteous before God; promises to help us live victoriously in this life, and because we are God’s child, we have the secured hope that when we leave this earth, we will be with Him in heaven forever.

I do hope you have a very blessed Christmas with Jesus at the center of your celebration of His birthday. God loves you.