The Real Message of Christmas 

by Dr. Charles Stanley
What does the message of Christmas mean to you? Do thoughts of the baby Jesus asleep within His mother's arms come to mind? Or do you immediately rush to images of packages and presents being opened and family and friends joined together over Christmas dinner? 
Christmas is a time for fellowship and demonstrating one's love for others. However, we must never forget God was the first to demonstrate His love to us. And this has not changed throughout the centuries since His Son's birth, He is still saying "I love you" to all who listen for His voice. 
We long to know we are loved with an infinite love and that there is hope no matter what we face. This is the message of Christmas, and this is why Jesus came to bring an eternal light to a darkened world and offer a message of hope and love that could not be silenced. The message of Christmas is one of God's personal love given through the life of Jesus Christ. It is a message of extreme favor and unconditional acceptance. 
When applied to a life, it can bring freedom from the strongest bondage, offer the greatest sense of peace, and forgive the deepest sin. For those who accept the message of Christmas there is an opportunity for a new beginning. Yet sadly, this message is often overlooked or simply hurried past. And while some may reject the message of Christmas, they cannot cancel its existence. 
This is because the message of Christmas is one of eternal love. It bears all, believes all, hopes all, and endures all. Most of all, the message of Christmas never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:7-8) It is written personally to you: God loves you, and no one can take His love away from you. Neither sin nor any other force can rob what He has established. 
Many times we view the message of Christmas as being exclusively for the unsaved or spiritually deceived. Yet its message is just as relevant for the spiritual journey facing you. This is because the message of Christmas is one that speaks of salvation as a way of life lived out through the advent of Christ's birth and the Holy Spirit's presence. 
When Jesus was born, Jerusalem and the surrounding territories were under a Pax Romana, or Roman peace. There was no war or threat of war. The people could live without fear of being attacked by enemies. However, there was a deep restlessness within their hearts. There was wealth and prosperity, but there also was a lack of hope and a sense of emptiness. 
Jesus Christ was God's answer to the growing outcry of the lost, oppressed, and emotionally hurting. John, the apostle, writes, "[In Jesus] was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it . . . He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name . . ." (John 1:4-5;11-12). 
This is the same message of praise and adoration the angelic host spoke to the shepherds the night Jesus was born: "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). 
We need the message of Christmas and the reassurance it brings. The teenager who has run away from home needs to know he can find forgiveness in the arms of God. The man or the woman who has lost a spouse needs to know life is still worth living. 
The lawyer or the doctor who thinks she or he has it all but realizes there is an emptiness inside that money and prominence can't fill needs to know there is Someone who can satisfy his greatest longing. Only God can satisfy the cries of your heart. 
Many believe they must do something to gain His approval. They tell them-selves they need to "clean up" their lives before coming to Jesus Christ. But we can never become clean enough to stand in the presence of God, apart from His saving grace. We need a Savior, and this is why God sent His Son. Only Jesus is capable of handling the disappointments, failures, and sin you face. He knows your weaknesses and through His forgiveness you can begin again. 
How do you come to God? Just as you are. Jesus did not wait for the world to "get it right." If He had, He never would have come. He came to us because He saw the need, and He knew the only solution for the separation sin had caused was God's message of love and unconditional forgiveness. 
If you have fallen to sin, go to Him. If you are discouraged and don't feel as though you can live another day, know that He is waiting for you with arms open. He has a solution to your problem. He cares what happens, and He wants you to bring your tears, frustrations, and struggles to Him. 
One of the most wondrous things about God is the fact that He is our Teacher. He encourages us in love. He strengthens us for the battle, but He also teaches us how to pray in faith about the troubles we face and to expect an answer because we are His beloved. 
The impact of Christ's birth was not diminished by the spiritual darkness of His society. Today the effectiveness of His life lived out by the power of the Holy Spirit is not lessened in any way by the wickedness of our world. Therefore, be encouraged. God is sovereign and His message of love, commitment, and purity remains steadfast. 
While He hates sin, He loves His creation. This is why the message of Christmas is unlike any before it. It brings immeasurable hope, peace, security, and eternal joy to all who accept its message. 
Mary was not rich or famous. There was nothing about her that attracted notoriety. Her only desire was to become a handmaid for the Lord. (Luke 1:38) And this was all it took for God to choose her to become the mother of the Son of God. Even the angel Gabriel acknowledged God's loving care for Mary: "Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you! Do not be afraid . . . for you have found favor with God . . ." (v. 28, 30). 
The message God sends to you this Christmas is one of eternal favor. He has chosen to love you. Deuteronomy 7 tells us: "The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you . . ." (v. 7-8) 
It is His love that draws you. You may seek to give elaborate gifts to those you love this Christmas, but the greatest gift has already been given. It came wrapped not in expensive garments but in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. 
Would you like to give God a gift this Christmas? Give Him yourself. Let His message of love fill your heart as you surrender to His wondrous embrace. 
Copyright © 2001 IN TOUCH MINISTRIES. All rights reserved. 

(You can hear Dr. Charles Stanley on “In Touch” weekdays at 9:05 a.m. and 10:05 p.m.; and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. on WXAN 103.9 FM.)