Christmas is a holiday that is near and dear to the hearts of so many around the world. While traditions vary from family to family, one thing typically stays the same: presents. I remember when I was 8; I begged and begged for an American Girl Doll for Christmas. She had freckles just like me and, as far I was concerned, was the only thing that could ever make me happy. I could hardly sleep that Christmas Eve and was ecstatic when I woke up that morning to precisely what I had wanted. However, I am pretty sure I lost interest in that doll by New Year. This cycle is often the case for so many of us. We put so much emphasis on the material that it usually takes precedence over the gift that truly makes Christmas worth celebrating: the birth of our Savior. 

The tenth day of Christmas celebrates Jesus coming to save us from our sins. Before we or even our great-grandparents were born, God had made the plan to send His Son to redeem us personally. The Apostle John writes that “[We] know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him, there is no sin.” (1 John 3:5). The birth of our Savior gives us an exit from the death to which our sin and lawlessness lead us to. His love for us is so encompassing that He gives us the ultimate Christmas gift: a perfect sacrifice to save his earthly children. The Savior that had been promised for generations to reconnect us to God had finally arrived! His death and resurrection washes us clean, and the restoration we receive is the best gift anyone can accept. Without Jesus, Christmas wouldn’t be what it is.

         Dear God, you are good. Your mercy and love is all that we need, oh Lord. During this season, please allow us to look beyond materialism and place our focus on you. Jesus, your only Son, was given to us through your love, bringing us out of the darkness and into your glorious light. His sacrifice was the ultimate Christmas gift and is worthy of all our praises. So Lord, thank you for Jesus. It’s in His name we pray, Amen. 

This day of Christmas celebrates the beautiful gift of Jesus that our Lord graciously provided for our salvation. When we think of giving, we picture the gifts piled under our tree or the lists that we make for Santa. However this season I encourage you and your family to look at gift giving in a different way. By acts of service, we can bless the people around us beyond just presents. By washing the dishes or helping a parent rake the yard, our actions can bless the people we love beyond what we can imagine. This Christmas, make an impact in your family that will last past the new year.