Day 92: Remember The Reason

Merry Christmas! After weeks of preparations and months of seasonal music, the time has finally come for Christmas Day. A day filled with celebration and time with family, we have come to a day in which we take a moment to take pleasure in the giving and receiving of gifts. However, it is incredibly important to remember the reason for the season.

While it is fun to focus on Santa Clause and presents we are bound to receive, there is a very specific reason for why we celebrate Christmas every year. And it all begins all those years ago in a manger in Bethlehem when the Savior of world was born of a virgin.

This is the story of the very first Christmas told in the Bible in Luke 2:1-20, the true reason for the season:

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 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.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:1-20, NIV

The real reason for this Christmas we love to celebrate is that little baby born all those years ago. The Son of God himself in the form of man, pure and sinless to his death that would give up his life in order to provide salvation for us. Sin entered the world just after creation and we have lived in it since, however, because Jesus came down to live and die among men we are given another chance at eternal life.

Life in heaven at the end of our lives here on earth, if we only believe in Jesus and confess our sins. Allow this time of year to be a chance to reflect on the real reason, have you made the decision to commit your life to our Savior?

The Bible tells the true story of the only sinless man to walk this earth. He was born of a virgin on the very first Christmas and went on to die for all human kind so that we could find salvation in Him. Because the story does not end with His birth or His death, it continues on because after three days He was raised from the dead. He overcame death so that we too can overcome it if we only believe and repent.

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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:9-13, NIV

So be sure to remember the real reason for Christmas today. Yes it is fun to spend time opening presents and enjoying time with family. But remember all those years ago in a little manger, the King of kings and the Lord of lords was born a baby. Perfect and sinless, the Savior or the world and the Savior of your heart. He loves and cares for you, run to Him this Christmas and experience the joy that comes with your new life.

Merry Christmas!

Until Next Time,
Lillian Merritt