What Jesus Wants For Christmas

Our family has been in preparations for Christmas for some time. We have been anticipating this day and finally it is here! In preparing for this day, I asked our children that after most gifts have been purchased, wrapped, and ready to be delivered to family and friends, have they considered what Jesus wants for Christmas? Our discussion from that point was a wonderful one! I pose the same question to you: Have you considered what Jesus wants for Christmas?

Partaking in and celebrating Christmas is truly about Jesus Christ. Many people acknowledge that this holy day (a.k.a. holiday) is set aside for recognizing His birth and all of the events that took place surrounding it. The miracle of a virgin becoming pregnant with the Son of God. The angel of the Lord visiting Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. The decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered (a.k.a. taxed). The multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." The baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. The shepherds returning to their flocks glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen! Then later after Jesus was a little older the wise men were led by a special star to the house Jesus and His parents were staying in and the wise men presented Jesus with three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. According to Bible commentator Albert Barnes, these gifts were presented to Jesus as King of the Jews as it was customary in the East to show respect for persons of distinction by making presents or offerings of this kind.

Yes, a wonderful celebration for a truly special child and a miraculous event! It was not any ordinary child born into this world. It was the Son of God identified by Isaiah as "...Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (9:6) and "the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore" (9:7). Although the name given to Him by an angel of the Lord to Mary was an ordinary name during that day and time, His name, JESUS, would become a name that changed the world forever! Why? Because according to Matthew 1:21, the angel of the Lord told Joseph, "She shall bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Every person conceived or born into this world has a purpose. Jesus had one purpose when He was conceived and ultimately born...JESUS WAS BORN TO DIE FOR MANKIND! Because of God's love for mankind that sinned against Him and His desire to see them saved from everlasting punishment in Hell, God sent His only begotten Son into this world to save mankind from their sins. This was planned from the very beginning when Adam and Eve sinned against God. It was said in Genesis 3:15 toward the serpent (e.g., Satan), "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Jesus is the "seed" that defeated Satan. Jesus defeated him not only when He was born, not only when He was crucified, but especially when He rose from the dead! Jesus defeated man's last enemy: death!

Because Jesus defeated Satan and defeated death, those that have faith and believe in Him and repent of their sins can defeat Satan and death as well! Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! No man comes unto the Father buy by Him (John 14:6)! Jesus will save you "from" your sins, not "in" your sins! Jesus will not only justify you before His father, but he will also sanctify you by sending the Comforter known as the Holy Spirit. By His justifying and sanctifying power that only He has, you will have everlasting life and be ready to meet Him when He returns to earth from Heaven for His people. On that glorious day when Jesus returns to the earth He created, was born into, died in, and rose from the dead through, He will say to those that are holy as He is holy: "Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matthew 25:21).

In considering all of this good news (a.k.a. The Gospel), let's return to the original question. Have you considered what Jesus wants for Christmas? What is the one thing that you can give the Creator of the Universe? As my children first started to answer the question, they were thinking from a material perspective. Then as we continued the conversation similar to what was discussed above, the answer was made known! Of all the things that someone could try to "give" Jesus, the one thing that He wants more than anything is your heart! What does this mean? Jesus wants every person to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment." (Mark 12:30). Jesus also said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Jesus further said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Jesus finally said, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, 5).

As you prepare to give gifts to family and friends for Christmas Day, consider above all else what you will give Jesus this year. He desires nothing more than YOU! Jesus is standing at the door of your heart and knocking. As you hear His voice and you decide to open the door of your heart to Him, He promised He will come in to  you and be with you (Revelation 3:20)! What better person could you have as friend than Jesus Christ and what better gift could you get this Christmas than salvation from sin; all because you gave your heart to Jesus by believe, faith and repentance! Praise and Thank God for His Son Jesus Christ! Merry Christmas!