The True Meaning of Merry Christmas

My mom loved to bake. She was a wonderful baker. During the holiday season she would whip up all sorts of fun treats. Now that my mom is gone as childhood memories flood back they all the sweeter. There’s something about those memories, the wonder of a child, innocent childlike joy, everything seems so much more magical when you’re little. I remember being in the kitchen one day baking all sorts of wonderful treats. But the one treat that stood out in my mind were peanut butter balls. In fact some of my favorite childhood memories seem to have taken place in the kitchen. Whether it was to stir up a batch of cookies or dipping dough in cinnamon sugar after they’ve been deep fried. For me the kitchen has always been a place full of love, laughter and happiness.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Christmas traditions lately. I’ve been thinking about how they start, how they mean so much to us, how year after year we return to them. Perhaps the joy of a tradition is as simple as that, it’s a joy. We do it over and over again because we continue to create sweet and wonderful memories with our families and friends.

Like how my mom would make cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. How we would read the Christmas story out of the Bible. How on Christmas Eve we would get to choose and unwrap one of our presents.

The True Meaning of Merry Christmas

On Christmas morning we opened our stockings first thing. But we had to wait until after we had breakfast and read the Christmas story to open our presents. As I reflect on traditions I also reflect on the things that truly matter. Like how Jesus was born and why Jesus was born at all and why he came to earth.

I think about the wonderful birth of Jesus our Lord and Savior. It’s this wonderful birth that means Christmas to me.

I can get swept away with decorating, presents and pretty wrapping, baked goods and all the celebrations. I love all the festivities that come with the season, the twinkling of lights and the coziness of a fire, snuggling up with a hot cup of tea or cocoa and the fragrant smell of spices in the air. In it all and even after the tree has come down and the ornaments have been packed away the wonder of Christ’s coming remains.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” 

Matthew 1:18-25

In Christ we find our true joy and so the real reason we celebrate Christmas is never over. Even though we take this time every year to celebrate Christ’s birth, His purpose for coming to earth – to bring us His Salvation – is a gift that lasts all year round.

The lyrics in How Many Kings by Downhere capture so well the truth of Christmas and our God and Savior’s dear, sweet, and intense love for each of us.

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe, after all we’ve projected,
A child in a manger
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother’s shawl
Just a child – Is this who we’ve waited for? ’cause…

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior
All that we have, whether costly or meek
Because we believe.
Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he will suffer
Do you believe?
Is this who we’ve waited for?
 Only one did that for me
All, all for me…
All for you…

Downhere

I’m praying God’s blessings on each of you this season. May He continually draw you nearer to Him. May you each day seek Him whole-heartedly and grow in your faith in Him. Today I’m reminded that I’ve received the greatest gift ever given. Jesus. May you be reminded today of His love for you and His gift of Salvation to you. 

Let’s enter into this Christmas season with Him before us!

xoxo Naomi

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