How Do We Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas?

By Billy Graham, Christian Post Guest Columnist Monday, December 15, 2008

Q: Every year we say we're going to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, but then we get busy with shopping and entertaining and everything, and it never happens. How can we celebrate Christmas the way we should and still make it a fun time for our children? Or is it possible? - Mrs. C.H.

A: Yes, I believe it is possible to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas while making it an enjoyable time for our children - and I hope you'll do everything you can to make this true for your family this year.

Remember: At Christmas, we celebrate the greatest gift the human race has ever known - God's gift of Jesus Christ, His Son. God in His love and mercy saw our spiritual need, and on that Christmas night over 2,000 years ago He entered the world in the person of a tiny baby - a baby who grew up to become our Savior.

You see, the Bible says we are lost and separated from God - drifting through life without any purpose, and without hope either for this life or the next. But Jesus Christ came to bring us back to God - and when we believe in Him and commit our lives to Him, God forgives our sins and makes us part of His family forever. The Bible says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

Make Christ the center of your life this Christmas. As you give gifts, teach your children about the greatest gift of all - the gift of God's only Son. Read together the accounts of His birth also (you'll find them at the beginning of Matthew and Luke). Set aside time as well for the Christmas celebrations in your church. May this be the most joyous Christmas you have ever known.