Christmas Is About a Gift

I was playing around on Facebook late one night, just a few days after Thanksgiving, when I saw someone post on a Mommy group something like this:

"Hey - I am looking for suggestions for Christmas books that teach the true meaning of Christmas.  My kids are being bratty and feeling entitled, and I just want something that helps me to show them what the true meaning of Christmas is.  It doesn't have to be religious or anything."

Wow. Just, wow.

I know most people can look at the word Christmas, and see that it contains the word Christ. But I wonder how many people know where the word originated.  It actually originates from "Christ's Mass", which was the mass that was held on December 25th to commemorate the birth of Christ.  That's what Christmas is- the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the cornerstone of the Christian faith. If that's not "religious or anything", then I don't know what is!

I know that those reading my blog probably have many different faiths, backgrounds and beliefs, but this is my little space of the Internet and I feel justified in sharing MY faith here.

Like it or not, Christmas is a Christian holiday.  It is a date that was set aside to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who was born of a virgin (Mary).  Jesus' birth was part of God's plan to send a perfect sacrifice, who would eventually die on a cross and then rise again for my sins, and for yours.  That's what Christmas is.  Christmas IS about giving.  But it's not about me giving presents to my kids or my husband.  It's about the most important gift that was ever given.

Christmas is all about the gift our heavenly Father gave to us - His perfect Son, Jesus Christ.  

Tangible gifts that we exchange with friends in family in just a week are just things that will eventually break, be lost, or be thrown away.  Even those extra special gifts that will be kept in a special place for years to come will eventually be ruined.  But the gift that the Father sent to us on that day so long ago is truly a priceless gift.

The media, department stores, and disgruntled people can TRY to "take Christ out of Christmas".  But they can't do it.  It's right there in the name.  And they can't stop Christians around the world from celebrating the most special birthday to ever be celebrated on December 25th.

Yes, we are a Christian family and our kids will know that Christmas is "Jesus birthday"!  Kate already gets that.  Jesus is the reason we celebrate.  But, we're not anti-gifts or anti-fun.  We exchange gifts with each other and with extended family and friends.  We have fun with Santa, and Frosty, and Rudolph.  We watch fun movies.  We decorate our Christmas tree and wear Christmas pajamas.  We drive around to look at all of the pretty lights.  But beyond all of that, we are sure to remind Kate that the REAL gift of Christmas is Jesus.  All of the other stuff is for fun, but we make sure to focus on the fact that Jesus is for real and He came as a baby just for her.  And though she can't talk yet, Karsten will know that Jesus came just for her as well.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 
Ephesians 2:8

So also, Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28

(Because I apparently don't know how to write a post without a picture, here's a picture of  two of our favorite gifts- in matching pajamas! )