Christmas is a time of celebration, remembrance, and anticipation. Decorating our homes, gathering with friends or family, singing carols, wearing ugly Christmas sweaters, giving gifts, listening to Handel’s “Messiah,” attending a Kid’s Christmas musical, joining in worship at a Christmas Eve service - the ways we celebrate are varied. All over the world, Christmas is celebrated in diverse ways with unique, meaningful traditions.

The way we celebrate may differ from culture to culture and home to home, but why and who we celebrate is where believers find oneness of voice and unity of spirit. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

As we approach Christmas, we remember Jesus’ birth - not only that He came to us, but why He came to us - to show us who God really is, to redeem our lives from sin, to empower us with the Holy Spirit, and to prepare us for an eternity with Him. And as we remember Jesus’ birth, we are filled with anticipation and hope. Christmas is a time of celebration! Why? Because God is with us - Immanuel!