Christmas is often described as the most wonderful time of the year. There’s a unique joy and peace that fills the air during this season—an intangible warmth that manifests in decorations, lights, music, the giving of gifts, and even in the coolness of the weather. However, this joy is most profoundly experienced by those who recognize and appreciate the true origin of this holiday.
In different cultures, Christmas is celebrated for various reasons. For many business people, it's seen as an opportunity to increase profits, with consumers out buying gifts and decorations. But for me, every year I ask myself: What is the deeper meaning of Christmas? To understand this, I always turn to Scripture.
The Gospel of Matthew provides a powerful insight into the true meaning of Christmas, especially through the story of the wise men (Matthew 2:1-12). These men, scholars from the East, studied the prophecies and observed the stars, and from their knowledge of Scripture, they recognized that a king had been born. The star they followed was like a divine GPS, guiding them directly to the birthplace of the Savior.
The story of the wise men is significant for several reasons. First, they were not ordinary men. They were wise, learned, and respected in their cultures. Yet, they traveled a great distance to find the newborn King. They came for two main purposes:
1. To worship Him
2. To give Him gifts
The first reason, to worship Him, is perhaps the most important reminder for us today. Christmas is ultimately about worshiping the only Son of the Father Almighty, not about gifts, decorations, or even Santa Claus. The birth of the Son marks the beginning of the redemption of mankind. He is Devine in human form (John 1:14). As the angels proclaimed, “Glory to Father in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). Worshiping the Son is the heart of Christmas because it is through His birth that salvation came to the world.
The second purpose of the wise men’s visit was to give gifts to the Son: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each of these gifts held deep symbolism:
Gold, symbolizing His kingship and divinity (Matthew 2:11).
Frankincense, representing His priestly role as an intercessor between the Father and mankind.
Myrrh, which was used in embalming, foreshadowing His sacrificial death as the Savior of the world.
These gifts were not mere tokens; they were symbolic of who the Son was and what He came to do. In the same way, our gifts—whether of time, resources, or love—should reflect our recognition of who the Son and what He had has done is in our lives.
In the busyness of the season, it’s important to remember that Christmas is not just about giving and receiving gifts, but about reflecting the love and generosity of Christ. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “Thanks be to our everlasting Father for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). The incredible gift is the Son Himself, because if He had not been born in human flesh, there would be no salvation for us.
This Christmas, let us think about how we can give in a way that brings glory to our Lord and Savior—by sharing His love, His joy, and His peace with others. As we enjoy this Christmas season, may we always remember that the Son is the reason for the season, and may we honor Him with our hearts, our gifts, and our actions.
Let us ask ourselves:
How can we worship Him more deeply?
How can we give gifts that reflect His love and glory?
Merry merry Christmas to you and family.
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