Why I Celebrate
Christmas. It comes and it goes so quickly. Sometimes, amid all the stress of trying to fit in family parties, gift exchanges, and shopping, the Christmas season can be stressful.
The question then is, why? Why celebrate?
The answer is surprisingly simple.
Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
“For unto us a child is born (Jesus), unto us a Son is given. And the government shall be upon His shoulders. And He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.”
I celebrate Christmas because of the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I celebrate because the King of all creation entered the mess, entered the pain and suffering of the world to “Save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
Because He provided a way of salvation for His people, I am able to rejoice, knowing that if I place my faith and trust in Him, who loved His people so much that He died on a cross to save them; I am then able to rejoice because I have hope.
For me and for all believers, Christmas is a time where we celebrate the grace and the beauty of Christ. I am so thankful to have hope, to have assurance, and to know that this life is not all we have.
And that is why I celebrate. That is why I give gifts to my family and friends. I give gifts to reflect a gift giving God who gave the most precious gift: His only Son. That is why I sing special music with my sisters, that is why I decorate my room and house, and that is why I make cookies for loved ones.
I celebrate because my Savior entered space and time in the form of a humble, helpless child, lived a sinless life, died a torturous and horrific death so that I (and all who believe) might have life in His name, and that His name might be glorified.
“For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
I pray that your Christmas day was filled with love, joy, and peace. I pray that you enjoyed delicious food and laughter with family. I pray that you had fun giving and receiving gifts. But, most importantly, I pray that you had a reason to celebrate December 25th.
Merry Christmas.