“My two favorite things about Christmas are giving people presents and just celebrating Christmas,” says 9-year-old Hailey. “I like giving people gifts because when they open the gift you always see their face light up with so much joy. Celebrating Christmas is fun because I know I’m celebrating the birth of Christ. Look, his name is even on Christmas.” .
If we delight in giving gifts to others, imagine the joy God experiences when people open the gift of eternal life. That gift can be received only by faith in Christ alone, at Christmas and every day of the year, because the child born in Bethlehem fulfills his destiny of offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins.
As for the name “Christ” at Christmas, many people think that “Christ” is the last name of Jesus. It is actually a title meaning “anointed.” The English word comes from the Greek word “Christos”. The Hebrew translation is “Messiah.” Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah, or anointed one, whose coming was heralded by the Hebrew prophets.
“What I like about Christmas is the lights, because of the light in the sky when Jesus was born,” says Garrett, 7.
Everyone knows how the wise men followed the star to Bethlehem, but how many people think of Jesus as the true light that gives light to every man who comes into the world? (John 1:9) Furthermore, what is the nature of this light?
Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) The Apostle John presents Jesus as the eternal Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. “In Him was life, and life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it.” (John 1:4-5)
We have conflict. Jesus is the light of the world and eternal life in human form. (John 17:3) Furthermore, Jesus said that he would give eternal life to anyone who believed in him. (John 3:16) When the light of this truth challenges the darkness of religious tradition or preconceived ideas about God, something has to give.
“I have to admit, I love presents, but my favorite part of Christmas is spending time with family,” says 11-year-old Lexie. “During Christmas, my family and I like to share the love of Christ with different people.”
This is how light shines in the dark. Those who know Jesus as the light of their lives reach out to their friends in word and deed. Even the most skeptical skeptic has no defense for acts of love, kindness, and compassion in the name of Christ.
The apostle John describes Jesus as “full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) This world is full of tough people driven by ego, greed and pride. Christians who treat people with the same grace they have received from God find that they have many opportunities to speak of the love of Christ.
Think about it: Christmas lights shouldn’t be the only lights shining in your neighborhood this year. Let the glorious light of the gospel shine. Tell someone about the greatest gift: God’s only child and his free offer of eternal life.
Memorize this truth: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Ask yourself this question: Has the light of the gospel shone into someone’s life this year through their deeds and words?