What do you think is the best thing about Christmas? Presents? Decorating the Christmas tree? Singing Christmas carols? Lots of yummy food? Holidays? Time with family?
All these are things that make Christmas a great time of year, but none of them is the best thing about Christmas.
The BEST thing about Christmas is that God loves us. Because He loves us He wants us to be part of his family. To help us do that, He sent himself into the world as Jesus. Born as a baby in a manger. You probably all know the story or at least the highlights!
A young woman named Mary is engaged to Joseph. An angel tells her that God has chosen her to be the mother of the Saviour of the world! Joseph probably thinks she is crazy and not faithful to him until an angel speaks to him sharing the news that Mary is pregnant by God’s Holy Spirit! They are told to call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins, bringing them into God’s family.
Fast forward a few months and they have to travel to Bethlehem to be counted in a census. One night an angel appears to some shepherds in a field. They are afraid, but the angel shares the news that a Saviour has been born, and tells them where to find him. The sky is suddenly full of angels praising God and the shepherds obey and rush to the town to find baby Jesus. Later on some wise men from the East travel following a star they believe will lead them to a new king. They visit the current King, Herod, who pretends to want to help them find the boy but secretly wants to take him out. Finally, the wise men find Jesus and his family, offer their gifts and then warned by an angel they go home avoiding Herod. An angel warns Joseph to take his family and flee to Egypt. As soon as he does Herod goes on the rampage, killing all baby boys under two years old, to eliminate any threat by a new king.
When it is safe Jesus and his family return to a place called Nazareth, and the rest as they say is history. In fact it is literally that. His Story. The story of a God who so loved his people that He gave His one and only son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him would not die but have eternal life. God did not send his son into the world to condemn its people, but to save them. [John 3:16-17].
Mary and Joseph knew Jesus was the best thing about Christmas. The angels knew Jesus was the best thing about Christmas. The shepherds knew Jesus was the best thing about Christmas. The wise men knew that Jesus was the best thing about Christmas. What about you?
If you want to discover more about the best thing about Christmas read His Story in the bible in Matthew and Luke. Why not pray and ask God to help you know him. Visit your local church. Ask a Christian friend or school Pastor how you can be a part of God’s family.
I hope you do enjoy all the good things that Christmas brings but it is my prayer that you will also enjoy the very BEST thing about Christmas this year.
Bless you this Christmas season.
Pastor Fi