There is so much about this time of year that I’ve always loved. I fell in love with Jesus and the people in the Bible when I read the story of Joseph and Mary in a biblical novel. I was sixteen. 
When our kids were young, we always focused on Advent and the story of Jesus. Each day we would open a new box or pocket on the advent calendar or move the flannel graph pieces to tell of Jesus’ birth. I wanted my children to know Him. To hear the story of His birth and what that meant in His becoming the Savior of the world.
I still want people everywhere to know why Jesus came and how much He loves them. The opportunities to share that news aren’t quite the same as they were those many years ago. The hard things in life can overshadow the hope of Christmas. 
When we are young, we tend to think that we’re invincible. We don’t ever expect to age or struggle with pain or loss. Such things happen to other people out there. Not to us.
This year has been mostly good for us. I won’t complain. I know that God has a plan for whatever we face, and I trust Him to work out the broken things–the things that I cannot fix.
This year has been rough, though, for some of our dear friends. Diagnoses they didn’t expect, the loss of their life’s mate, financial woes, and broken relationships. Life is hard. Even at Christmas.
Jesus stepped into our broken world, and he experienced the very worst life has to offer. Born in poverty, He had no home to call his own. He faced a mix of love and hatred among His people. He was despised. Rejected of men. Wounded for us. But He did it for the love and longing to be with us.
Did you know that God has always wanted to live among us? To walk and talk with us?
We can understand Christmas until we understand why He wants us.
We can’t imagine what it would be like to step into God’s world. He lives in unapproachable light in a place called heaven. Most of the world has a distorted view of heaven, but those who have seen it, like Isaiah, Ezekiel, John, and Paul, either couldn’t talk about it or they described something beyond our understanding. What they do reveal is amazing!
The problem is, human beings cannot see God and live. So God came down to live among us. He sent Jesus to make a way.
Jesus is the only person who was born with the sole purpose of dying for us. His death made that amazing, glorious place where God lives accessible to us.
We just have to trust in Jesus, His birth, His death, and His resurrection to make our future there secure.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Acts 16:31
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
Jesus’ coming changed everything for us. The historical fact is that He came. The prophecies He fulfilled in His coming will astound anyone willing to search them out. The reason He came comes alive if we read with a desire to understand Genesis to Revelation.
This time of year, let’s remember why Jesus came. He brought us “good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all people.” He brought us hope in a dark world.
When we think about all that we’ve gained or lost, remember what it is we are really celebrating. Cling to what is true. The birth of Jesus is the truth of Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
The Conversation
Well said Jill, Well said! Happy Christmas x
Thank you! Merry Christmas to you as well!