Christmas is a wonderful time of year. While people think of various things when they think of this holiday celebration, we also remember the true meaning of Christmas.
There is, of course, the shopping and the gift giving. I think we all enjoy receiving presents for Christmas! One of the greatest joys is reuniting with family. This is an especially happy time if some of our loved ones live far away from us. There are usually some wonderful meals at this time of year as well. All of these things are certainly part of the joy of this time of year.
What, then, is the greatest joy of this time of year?
My mind goes back to the first Christmas.
What was the first Christmas really about? The very first verse of John tells us that “in the beginning was the Word… and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” What does this mean? John explains a little more to us when he says, “and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
So somehow God was going to come among us in a special way like He had never done before. How exactly was this going to happen?
Matthew tells us: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” Joseph is then assured by an angel that this is indeed the case. Matthew also tells us why. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
That’s why He came! People like you and I were lost in our sins, and we were going to need a savior. The word “gospel” means good news, and this is indeed good news!
What should our reaction be to such good news? We could get some advice from the example of the wise men. The scripture tells us that “they rejoiced with exceeding great joy… and fell down, and worshipped him.” This makes me want to have the same joy and worship as those wise men!
Our family has always loved Christmas, for the gifts, the quality time and the food, but mostly for the good news this celebration represents. Our custom has been to gather together to read about Jesus’ birth from the Bible, then pray together to thank Him for what He has done for us.
The heavenly host declared that with the coming of Jesus is “good will toward men.” The angel of the Lord told them, “behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
What a joy to know that, with the coming of Jesus, we have a way to be forgiven of our sins!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Rep. Jim Olsen represents District 2 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes portions of Sequoyah County.
