Take time to share Christmas’ true love

The shopping is done. The rush is over. The kids have unwrapped presents and now you’re sitting down drinking eggnog or coffee and reading the paper.

Before the day is done, why not read the story of the birth of Jesus together as a family? What better time is there to remind one another of the true reason for our celebration? We already view this holiday as a time for family, friends and fellowship; a time to put differences aside and love one another. If you understand the reason behind Jesus’ birth, you’ll see the truest picture of love that you can imagine.

About 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah said a virgin would conceive a child who would give birth to a son called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Matthew 2:23 confirms this, and we can clearly see from scripture that Jesus Christ is “God with us.”

That God would come down to be with us is amazing, but what’s more amazing is that his son Jesus would come, knowing his entire life that he would die for the sins of all mankind. Most parents would gladly give their lives as a sacrifice for their own children, but few would sacrifice their lives for others — especially those who were ungrateful or unworthy.

Jesus came to earth directly from his place of authority in Heaven to a humble barn. He grew up in a house of carpenters, learning a trade he would never use. He walked among the people, played with children and even had them sitting on his lap like Santa Claus. The entire time he stayed focused on his true purpose — to lay down his life for every person on Earth, whether they loved him or hated him.

Who do we love enough to lay down our lives for? Jesus left streets of gold and the river of life for dusty roads and the muddy Jordan River. He came with purpose so we could have purpose.

One of my favorite television shows is “Extreme Makeover Home Edition,” and I love it because the crew finds families in need, but also families that give. I remember one show in particular where a woman selflessly gave her kidney to someone else who needed it. On top of that, the woman was not the one who nominated her family to get a new home. She was so humble; she didn’t even feel worthy to receive the new home because she figured people are supposed to give when someone’s in need. If that means a kidney, so be it.

Far more important than the regular gifts we give at this time of year is the gift of Jesus. Romans 3:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I searched unsuccessfully for a week to find a Nintendo Wii computer game console at regular price before Christmas. The average price on ebay was $350 for the box. While a Wii is a fun present and one of the few TV gaming products on the market that encourages family participation, it could never be better than the gift of Jesus.

Jesus’ gift of salvation is free, and last time I checked, there were no lines to get in at my church to claim the free gift. You can claim his gift 24/7, 365 days a year (366 days in a leap year).

So finish opening your presents. Finish eating your turkey. Finish drinking your eggnog and roasting your chestnuts by an open fire. But don’t forget to include Jesus in your celebration and share him with others. Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year.

Jesse Miller is youth pastor at Family Christian Center and can be reached at silverhonda84@hotmail.com.