The Beautiful Truth Behind Christmas and the Savior Who Came

As a child, I was always so confused as I couldn’t understand where Santa Claus fit in the Nativity Story.

In elementary school, we would write letters to Santa and paint reindeer. Yet at church, all focus was on the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Now as an adult, I find that December moves faster than any other month. One day you’re excited to pull out the bins and boxes with all the Christmas decorations, and the next thing you know, your calendar is full.

Your shopping list keeps on growing, and you’re trying to remember which party requires a dessert and which one requires a gift.

Sometimes, I’ve realized halfway through the month that I’d spent more time thinking about what still needed to be wrapped than what really Christmas points to. 11 gifts to bring to a Christmas lunch…really!?

It’s so easy to lose focus my friends. But when we peel back the ribbons and bows and wrapping paper, we remember that Jesus is the true center of our Christmas celebration.

Before we go too far, I think it helps to do a quick recap of where the idea of Christmas even came from.

The word itself comes from a phrase used hundreds of years ago. It referred to a service held in honor of Christ. Christ’s mass or Christian mass. All the decorations, traditions, carols, and gatherings were added later on because…people.

But the core of Christmas has always been about the birth of Jesus and what His arrival means for us. The focus is not for buying discounted items on Amazon.

Christmas is centered on Christ.

If you grew up reading about Christ’s birth each year, you might hear the familiar words in your mind already. Or perhaps you were involved in many pageants as a child.

Even if you weren't, I’ll summarize it for you! For the full story, I invite you to read Matthew chapters 1 & 2 and Luke chapters 1 & 2.

Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem (the city of David) for the census. Mary was ready to give birth by the time they arrived, and there was no place left for them to stay.

No guest room, no warm spare bed that someone offered up at the last minute.

Instead, they ended up in a place where animals were kept. Mary delivered Jesus there, wrapped Him tightly, and laid Him in a manger.

What a humble setting. Nothing impressive by earthly standards. And yet, that’s the setting God chose for the arrival of His Son.

God meets us in familiar places, in the middle of our ordinary routines.

Angel messengers appeared to shepherds nearby and told them not to be afraid. They brought news filled with joy for everyone!

A Savior had been born, Christ the Lord! The shepherds hurried to see Jesus for themselves, and once they did, they couldn’t keep the news to themselves, so they shared it with others, and people were amazed.

Christmas marks the beginning of the greatest rescue plan our world has ever known. When you think about it, the story starts long before Bethlehem. God promised a Savior generations earlier.

People waited, prayed, and hoped for the day He would send One who could restore what had been broken.

Matthew 1:21 explains the purpose clearly. The angel told Joseph that Mary would give birth to a Son, and Joseph was to give Him the name Jesus because He would save His people from their sins. All of our sins.

Jesus came with a purpose that reached further than His birthplace, His childhood, His teachings, and even His miracles. Every part of His life pointed to redemption.

Isaiah 9:6 says a Child would be born and a Son would be given. It explains that the government would rest on His shoulders and that He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

These are titles that reflect His authority, His character, His strength, and His compassion. That tiny baby, born in a manger, is the same One who carries the weight of the world.

Incredible!

John 3:16 captures the love behind His coming. The birth of Jesus sets God’s promise in motion. His arrival means salvation…grace…and our restored relationship with God.

His life reveals God’s love for His people. His death and resurrection secure hope for every believer. And Christmas is the beginning of all of it!

I get it, the craziness of December continues. The shopping lists still grow. There are tons of gatherings and events.

Rest assured, even if you don’t have the perfect Christmas decorations up or the right gifts picked out, this Christmas story is for you. Jesus is the perfect gift.