Christmas is about Jesus

Matthew 1:18-21 (NKJV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

As Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy he wondered what he was to do, since they were not yet wed. An angel appeared to him to comfort his thoughts and explain that Mary was the bearer of God’s child. This child would grow up to save His people from their sins.

Eleanor looked thoughtful; her aunt laid down her knitting, and said, in a tone of gentle seriousness, "Whose birth does Christmas commemorate, Ella?"

"Our Savior's, certainly, aunt."

"Yes," said her aunt. "And when and how was he born? In a stable! laid in a manger; thus born, that in all ages he might be known as the brother and friend of the poor. And surely, it seems but appropriate to commemorate his birthday by an especial remembrance of the lowly, the poor, the outcast, and distressed; and if Christ should come back to our city on a Christmas day, where should we think it most appropriate to his character to find him? Would he be carrying splendid gifts to splendid dwellings, or would he be gliding about in the cheerless haunts of the desolate, the poor, the forsaken, and the sorrowful?" [Excerpt from Harriet Beecher Stowe's short story: Christmas; Or, The Good Fairy]

In this short story Harriet Beecher Stowe reminds the reader that Christ was born under conditions that most of us could not comprehend. He was born in an unsanitary manger, no crib, and no doctor. Christ was born for all, including the lowly, the poor, the outcast and the distressed. Giving at Christmas is a good gesture, but it has become overly commercialized and we have tended to forget about those in need. In some cases we have even forgotten what Christmas is about, which is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Take time this Christmas to do something good for someone in need, however you may do that. Remember that Christmas commemorates the birth of Our Savior Jesus Christ. Take time to give The Lord praise for His grace and mercy. Christmas is the season during which Christians everywhere give thanks to God the Father for the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. Don’t let any fool you into thinking that Christmas is anything less.