So Christmas Eve is tomorrow, and it has come too fast! We don’t have any snow here in Utah and autumn leaves are still waving on the trees. But the weatherman threw a wrench into our holiday travels . . . . SNOW on Christmas Day!
My boys are only two and 10 months old, but last Saturday we did a tiny bit a gift shopping with them. Daddy went around with our two year old and helped him pick out gifts for everyone. Then we got home and wrapped and wrapped. He’s been SO good to not even touch things under the tree. **Of course he doesn’t quite get what all this Christmas ‘stuff’ is about yet. 🙂
But each Monday night we have our Family Home Evening and all this month we’ve done parts of the Christmas Story. And NO, I don’t mean the old TV special that runs around the clock on TBS.
I mean the REAL Christmas Story–that of our Savior Jesus Christ being born in Bethlehem. so many years ago. We celebrate Christmas to rejoice over his coming to this earth to redeem mankind.
Christ is more than just a little baby that was born in humble circumstances over 2000 years ago.
He is MORE than a character in a biblical record.
He is MORE than what some call a producer of miracles.
HE IS THE GIFT
Our Heavenly Father gave his first born son to all mankind so that our sins could be forgiven, that we could be atoned for. Jesus Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, our brother. We owe all we have to him.
As we celebrate this Christmas season, let us remember that it’s not about the sparkling lights, the shiny presents, the sweets and treats. It is about the first REAL gift of Christmas, our Lord Jesus Christ.
As you light your tree on Christmas Eve and you feel that wonderful warmth pervading your home, remember where that spirit comes from. As you kiss your children goodnight, remember that they will always be with you because of Christ’s sacrifice for us. As you exchange gifts with loved ones on Christmas Day, remember that our Savior was the Christmas gift from our Father in Heaven, and that all we have is our Savior’s gift to us.
I have a nativity set on my piano in our front room. It sits under the painting of the Savior hung on our wall. Our Christmas Tree is decorated with symbols of Christ, loving ornamental memories that we’ve gathered over the years, and tokens of family and loves ones.
THE NATIVITY
I don’t have an enormous Santa Claus displayed in our home, or monstrous candy canes lining our walk. My Christmas lights aren’t blazing down the whole neighborhood with dramatic flair.
I hope you have not forgotten the nativity and that you have it displayed in your home. Keep it as a part of your traditions and teach your families of its importance. Without it, Christmas will never be what it truly is.
Please share this glorious and holy message with those you care about. Or feel free to use it with your families this Christmas Eve. You can find wonderful videos and resources here and here.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a joyous MERRY CHRISTMAS! For Christmas would not be Christmas without Christ.
God bless.
Great Sarah.
Unfortunately, almost everything nowadays is very commercialized. People don’t or don’t want to remember their roots and don’t care about religion and simplicity. We are bombarded with ads and promos all the time and everywhere. New era, technology, complexity.
Take care,
Krasi
You’re absolutely right, Krasi. It takes a certain strength to overcome and get passed what the world crams down our throats every day. I appreciate your candor and invite you share with others. I appreciate you. Have a wonderful New Year’s!
Awesome article.
Thanks Tracy. Merry Christmas!
Good post. Christmas is definitely all about Christ.
For some of us… It’s sad when many forget the true meaning though. Feel free to share so others can find the true meaning. Thanks for your post, Floris!
Hi, I really enjoyed the video’s and you’re so right. Christmas has been so commercialized that it’s true meaning has been diluted. Although my faith beleives in Jesus Christ, I also beleive Christmas is time to be with familly and appreciate what we have. Even that message is being lost. The economies are in poor shape, unemployment is high and yet people prioritise gifts above all else. I think your site is a refreshing reminder too keep faith and cherish each other at the fore front of the christmas season. I applaud you and your post. Cheers
-Dan
Thanks for your kind words, Dan. I too agree that the holiday season, no matter what faith you are, is a time to spend with loved ones and reflect on the many blessing we do have. May you have a wonderful Christmas.
Hi Sarah…
This is my second time to your website. Great article, greeat web site!
I have a good friend in your neck of the woods by the name of Becky Mackintosh. She bolgs as well… http://beckymacksblog.com. Her husband Scott, caught some visibility for attempting to teach his daughter a lesson by wearing some short shorts, and a photo went viral. Do you know them? Super cool woman.
I don’t know her personally. But YES!! I remember him on the news, it was hilarious! And I was actually proud that he did that in order to help teach his daughter about her own purity. Awesome teaching moment. Thanks for your comment, Rico.
Beautiful site Sarah and on a most important topic, sincere and from heart. I am sure you will have many visitors. Best luck and Marry Christmas to your family and you.
Thank you for your kind words, Jovo. Merry Christmas to you too!
Very touching page. Excellent reminder of the season’s meaning! Thank you, and Merry Christmas.
I the videos make it far better than just my words could have sufficed. I just had to share them because they do bring such a tender feeling for the holiday and the Christ child. Merry Christmas to you too, John.
Hello sarah, this post really got me reading it more than once. The natural flow of this post makes it very easy to read. A very nice read specially with the holidays here 🙂
Thank you, Yunier. Feel free to share this Christmas message with any loved ones.
Great piece Sarah! I’m really loving your layout and colors. The typeface under your tabs and the title “Remember He is a gift” is really nice as well
Keep up the great work!
-Stu
Thanks, Stu! Best of luck to your success as well this holiday season.