Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

What is the true meaning of Christmas?

Is it the gifts we buy, the Christmas tree in our homes, the snow on the ground, or is it the man in the red suit??

We in our hustle and bustle often seem to forget the very popular phrase "the reason for the season".

Over 2000 years ago a child was born; this child was born to a virgin mother and a divine father.  This child came in to this word in a lowly state; He was born in a stable and laid in manger.  Can you imagine being born in a stable?  A place where animal dwells. Imagine going into a farm of live stock particularly sheep, goat and donkeys (these were normal live stock of those days) consider the smell. The stench of animal urine and waste, most of us can't even walk in to a public rest room with out gagging.  But yet our Lord was born in these conditions.  

And if being born in a stable was not bad enough he was laid in a manger. (A manger is a trough or box of carved stone or wood construction used to hold food for animals (as in a stable). Mangers are mostly used in livestock raising. They are also used to feed wild animals. The word comes from the French manger (meaning "to eat"), from Latin manducare (meaning "to chew"). He laid in a manger a place where animals feed from. In order for it to a bit comfortable Joseph probably had to layer it with hay.

Our children are born into a civil world, mother is made to comfortable, and babies are born to be wrapped in warm clothing, heating lamps if needed and much more.  Their nurseries are built before their birth, everything has been well put away and organized for their arrival.

When we think of Christmas do we think about the sacrifices Jesus came into this world to make for us? He loves us so much that He humbled Himself to be born in a stable and lay in a manger and then to died a lowly death as well. He as persecuted, spat upon, beaten, bruised all for our sake.

So, is Christmas about Santa?  No, God said that He is a jealous God and will share is glory with no man. Is it about gifts? No because we should give the give of love to our brother and sisters all through the year not only on Christmas, plus we are not saved by what we do, so it not about giving gifts either. What is it truly about then? Christmas literally means the Mass (celebration) of Christ. "Christ" is a Greek word and title, meaning "anointed" or one set apart by God for a special purpose. "Christ" is equivalent to the Hebrew word "Messiah." CHRIST-mas is the celebration of  the arrival of the Messiah promised by God as a great deliver of the people from sin, and to redeem us back to Himself through is love.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!
Celebrate the CHRIST in christmas
Elisa