Advent

Christmas is a great time of year. Christmas is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I say "we" because the whole world seems to celebrate. We sing songs about our Lord, decorate our homes (sometimes with Nativity sets), and we talk about Jesus and His birth.

"We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) We can celebrate Christmas because Jesus first loved us. He loved us enough to He "but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant," (Philippians 2:7) being born in a stable so He could bring us the gift of Salvation. Jesus lived and taught so we could know God. He gave us the gift of eternal life through His death on the cross, taking our sins upon Himself, if we allow it. And then conquering the grave and death, proving that He gave us the gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

Advent is a season to celebrate, not the gifts we will give or receive ... but to Celebrate the Birth of Christ, with anticipation and joy. Let us share His message so others will receive the gift of life available only through the giver of life.