Christmas is a glorious day of celebration!  It is a day to celebrate God’s perfect Gift, the birth of Jesus.  He is the Son sent by God the Father, who so loved the world that He gave His only Son, to bring salvation to mankind. 
 
“…that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him 
Shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.”  John 3:16  The Amplified Bible
 
Christ was born into humanity, a helpless babe, so that He might identify wholly with man; to live the perfect sinless life in this imperfect sinful world for the purpose of redeeming fallen man.
 
“Therefore, He has to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aide of those who are tempted.”  Hebrews 2:17-18
 
Tragically, there are those who hear the words and celebrate the symbols of Christmas, but walk away leaving the Babe in the crib!  
As in the parable of the sower, are they like the ones who receive the word with joy, but have no root and in a time of testing they fall away?  Or, are they like the ones who hear, but as they go on their way the word is choked out by life’s worries, riches and pleasures and they do not mature?
(Read the whole parable in Luke 8:4-15)
 
Scripture tells us that it is the Lord’s desire that none should perish,
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
 
So Let us pray that the hearts of those we know and love may be made ready to receive Christ,
“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.”  1 Timothy 2:5-6.
 
Our prayer, is for these loved ones to come into a saving living relationship with Christ, it is the most perfect gift we can give them.
 
With grateful hearts, filled with thanksgiving, let us celebrate the birth of our “Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”  
Christ alone is the reason for our celebration and He alone is worthy of all honor and praise.  Amen