Joy and Meaning

Christmas season is always something I look forward to. Excitement can be
seen and felt everywhere I turn: music is coming from shops, and people are
singing carols. The Christmas season brings to town upcountry folks, and
the streets of the cities are full of people as the shopkeepers have
brought in new merchandise just for the Christmas season. The atmosphere in
people’s homes changes as well. This is a time when friends are invited to
share meals and relatives who live far away are also invited for meals and
fellowship. It’s a family reunion!

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The coming of Jesus from heaven to earth, which we celebrate during the
Christmas season, truly changed the world forever. It changed human
history! It gave the hope of a family reunion—the reunion of God and His
creation. Though the world had become alienated from God because of
humanity’s sin, God was reconciling the world to Himself through the life,
death, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 8:18-25; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

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The celebration of Jesus’s birth brought excitement and singing in heaven
before it did on earth. The angel who broke the good news of Jesus’s birth
to the shepherds was joined by the heavenly host, and they praised God and
said, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with
whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:13-14).

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And the giving and receiving of gifts during Christmas season is a reminder
of what God the Father did for us over two thousand years ago. He gave us
the greatest and best of gifts that ever can be given—His own Son, Jesus
Christ! “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” (2 Corinthians
9:15). Jesus came from the Father to die for our sins, and because of His
death and resurrection, He gives us the gift of everlasting life (John
3:16). Receiving this gift brings great joy to whoever puts their trust in
Jesus. It also causes great joy in heaven, for Jesus says, “there is joy in
the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents” (Luke 15:10). •
Charity Kiregyera

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• Do you have any favorite Christmas traditions? How might these traditions
point to the good news of Jesus? (If you want to know more about this good
news, see our “Know Jesus” page)

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• Read 2 Corinthians 9:13-15. How does receiving God’s gift (of knowing Him
through Jesus) enlarge us to give generously to others?

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“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son [ Jesus
Christ], so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have
eternal life.” John 3:16 (NLT)

Read Verses:

Luke 15:10; John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:13-2 Corinthians 9:15