Jesus is the reason for the season

My fondest memories growing up were decorating the Christmas tree with my parents — the string lights, tinsel, putting up the “baby’s first Christmas ornament” (mine, not my brothers). There was this festive feeling in the air, and I was giddy with excitement that I would be opening all those gifts on Christmas morning.

My parents would bake cookies on Christmas Eve for Santa, and we would leave them out for him and the reindeer. Every Christmas Eve my brother and I would have the opportunity to open one gift of our choosing. It didn’t matter what it was for me. A Furby or a stuffed leather turtle, I was sleeping with it that night. And I was fascinated with my new favorite possession. That is, until the next morning.

I am a bit embarrassed to admit Christmas was never about celebrating Christ for me until I became born again in my late 20s. But if I am being completely transparent, to this day I am selling him short. Christmas is supposed to be the day when we celebrate the birth of our salvation, the day when God left his kingdom to save a wretched sinner like me. The most important thing in your life is not what is under that Christmas tree. The most important thing is what you believe.

Do you know you’re a sinner?

Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Do you know you need to ask God for forgiveness?

I John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Do you want to know how to receive salvation?

Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Romans 10:9: “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

The moment that changed all of history started in a manger. And in that manger was the one who created you.

Instead of looking under the tree for gifts, look to the one who gives the best gift — grace.

Keri Harris

First Baptist Church of Coshocton