The Best Present of All

Luke 2:1-20 "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."

Christmas is the most commercialized holiday of the year. We've all seen how they jump the gun on advertisements and sales, even when Thanksgiving hasn't even come yet. We hurry to get our presents for one another, watch our favorite Christmas programs, and decorate the tree, while listening to the classic Christmas tunes.

The mask has been put on heavy. Santa Claus is the hero of Christmas, delivering the things we most desire. The idea of it can actually seem quite freaky. A jolly, fat man, who "sees when you are sleeping and knows when you are awake", and decides whether or not you are worthy to receive presents. So on Christmas Eve, all his elves pack the sleigh full of packages for the good kids and coal for the bad (but when do you ever see a kid with coal?). Then he sneaks into your house while you are asleep, eats treats that you set out for him (why do we set them out? because of thankfulness or fear?), then sets everything up so you will wake up to the perfect Christmas.

While most people don't still believe in Santa Claus or other such tales, it is a very big commercial icon for Christmas. It's what most people think of, when they think of Christmas. Even Christians can be caught up in the hustle and bustle of the festive season. But the simple fact is that there would be no Christmas if not for the story above.

Christ is what Christmas is all about(hence the "Christ" at the beginning of "Christmas"). Christ's birth is the reason we celebrate. We celebrate because God came to earth in the form of a baby, so that He might live on this earth for 33 years and then die to save us from eternal hell.

We were condemned to hell, because we are not perfect(Romans 3:23). Hell is a place of fire and brimstone, where we would suffer, not only physical, but spiritual pain, which is eternal separation from God. Because we sinned, we were banished from God's sight on a one-way ticket to hell.

But God sent his Son, Jesus, to save us (John 3:16). This little, fragile baby, who is also the Almighty God, is our Savior from that punishment. Doesn't that sound better than a couple of earthly gifts given by some fat jolly man in a red suit? God saved us! He sent His Son! That's why we celebrate; because that small child would grow up, to become the sacrifice that allowed us to have a relationship with God. The shepherds went away "glorifying and praising God", because He had provided a way of salvation, not because they got presents.

As we go through the rest of this holiday, don't get caught up in the meaningless festivities. Enjoy this time of year, but remember why we enjoy this time of year. We enjoy it, because if Christ's birth didn't happen, we would have no hope of escaping hell and having a relationship with God. Praise Him for His wonderful plan for saving undeserving, wrenched sinners like ourselves! Thank you, Jesus! Happy Birthday!