Christmas time is right around the corner. Everybody is running around hectic trying to get their Christmas shopping over with. There are people flooding the stores, pushing their way around to get what they need. Then you have the atheists telling us to celebrate reason.

I on the other hand want to tell you all to slow down. In this high-speed country and time we’re living in, sit down. Take a deep breath (or a few) and bring out the Bible. For some of you, you might need to wipe the dust off of it. Do you remember the story of Christmas? Or is it distorted with reindeer, elves, Christmas trees…etc.?

For those that don’t have too close of a personal relationship with Christ and don’t study the Word enough, I could put the story into a few sentences for you.

We were drowning in our sin and had no way out. Salvation seemed impossible. The son of God had to come down and live among us and die for us. A baby was born, destined to be tortured and killed despite of his innocence. Christmas is the happy side of the story. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son….” John 3:16a (NIV)

And then the sad part that saved us “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

He did not come down here to earth to make our lives comfortable. He came to suffer to put our sins above his own well-being.

This Christmas, keep having fun! Put up the lights and the trees! Give gifts! Remember that the reason for Christmas is that God gave us a gift over 2,000 years ago bundled up in a manger. Give Jesus the time that He deserves. Remember to keep Him with you this Christmas. Don’t forget He is the reason for the season. He is the reason we put up lights and the tree. He’s the reason we give gifts as God gave us His Son. Greet everyone you meet with “Merry Christmas” and a smile.

God bless you all!

-Moses