CHRISTmas

READ: Matthew 27:26-31

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

There are so many things to love about Christmas. Twinkling lights. Carols. Cookies. A break from school. Gifts. Sleigh rides. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. (Okay, so I’ve never really roasted chestnuts on a fire, but it sounds good.)

Those things are fun and can be enjoyed. But it’s amazing how these wrappings of Christmas can cover up the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

Behind the Christmas lights, gifts, and music, there is a person—Jesus Christ. He was born “the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32). His mother “wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger (2:7). He grew to be a boy who longed to please His heavenly Father (v.49). Then, as a grown man, yet fully God, He comforted and healed hurting people (Matthew 4:24). He became our Savior, who willingly endured torture, shame, and death for you and me (Matthew 27:30-31). He suffered all this to take our sin and to give us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Some may think we’ve lost the spirit of Christmas if we start talking about the suffering of Christ. But if our only thought is what we’re going to buy for Mom and Dad and our little brother, we have missed the life-changing message of Christmas.

The message is that we can have changed hearts because of what Jesus did for us. Our sin doesn’t have to control us any longer. We have no more excuses because our lustful desires have been crucified with Christ (Galatians 5:24). This doesn’t mean we won’t struggle with temptation and sin (James 1:14), but we have the power through the Holy Spirit to be like Christ: gentle, controlled, patient, loving, faithful, good, and peaceful. And by following Jesus’ example we can be lights in the darkness, and we can invite those who don’t have faith in Christ to unwrap the gift of salvation.

If you feel overwhelmed this season and can’t see past the Christmas lights, look further to the painful journey Jesus took and what that means to you. —Allison Stevens

REFLECTION

• How does the true meaning of Christmas influence the way I celebrate Christmas?
• What sinful desires have I crucified with Christ? With which ones do I continue to struggle?
• How does Jesus’ life impact my life? (Galatians 5:22-23).

Christ came to take our blame.

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