What is Christmas really all about?
• All about family?
• All about presents?
• All about decorations … lights … trees … ?
• All about celebrations and making memories that will last a lifetime?
• All of these are a part of Christmas, but NOT what it’s ALL ABOUT!
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:18–25 NIV
What Christmas is All About
• The meaning of Christmas—The birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6–7 NIV
• The message of Christmas—God saves
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NIV
o Jesus is the Greek name for Joshua—“Yahweh is salvation”
• The mission of Christmas—To bring us into right relationship with God
How does God do this?
1) Jesus is willing to forgive our sins
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:1–5 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV
o “Died for”—lit. Jesus died in our place
But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong. 1 John 1:9 CEB
2) Jesus is willing to forget our past
Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 CEV
And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins. Hebrews 8:12 NLT
You will be merciful to us once again. You will trample our sins underfoot and send them to the bottom of the sea! Micah 7:19 GNT
3) Jesus is willing to give us a new life
Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 CEV
o We are a new person
But God’s mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ. It is by God’s grace that you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4–5 GNT
o We have a new position
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 2:6 NIV
o We have a new purpose
God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 GNT
4) Jesus is willing to secure our future
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV
Christmas is about Jesus!
Next Steps
I will make a first-time commitment to Jesus.
I have walked away from my faith this year, but I am recommitting myself to God now.
I will continue to walk closely with God in 2025.