The True Meaning Of Christmas

Every December, hundreds of millions, even billions of people around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. Throughout history, no one's birth has been celebrated as widely as Jesus. In general, we are happy when friends remember and celebrate our birthdays. Do you think Jesus is happy with the Christmas that are celebrated everywhere? Not necessarily. Christmas is now celebrated not only by Christians. People in the world who do not know who the real Jesus is also decorate their shops to attract more visitors. Even in bars and nightclubs, they don't miss putting up Christmas trees and playing Christmas songs. There are people who celebrate Christmas in bed because they are sick. But there are those who in bed indulge in their lusts. There are those who celebrate Christmas in church worshiping God, but not a few who get drunk and party hard.

Many people celebrate Christmas but do not know the true meaning of Christmas. For them, Christmas is identical with Santa Claus, with shopping, with having fun, with the holiday season only. So, the Christmas celebration has lost its meaning. That's why this evening we will return to very basic things, namely what the true meaning of Christmas is.

Let's read John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse has been a great blessing, leading to salvation for many people, including myself. Martin Luther called this verse “the miniature gospel.” Some call it “the gospel in a nutshell,” “a love letter from God written in blood and addressed to all.” If there is a verse that Satan wants to get rid of, this is definitely the verse he chooses. This verse touches our hearts. This verse shows the true meaning of Christmas.

There are three parts of this verse that we will discuss. First, this verse begins with the basic reason why the Son of God came to the world: "Because God so loved the world/humans." The Bible not only says that God loves us, but that God loves us so much. There are people born and growing up amidst families who love them. Their parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties love them. Praise the Lord for them. But there are those who since childhood experience rejection, insults, unfair treatment, hatred, etc. No matter what your life experience is, know that God loves you. He loves you very much. Even if you have done bad things, which are very embarrassing, God still loves you. The word of God does not say "For God so loves those who are good," but to the world, this refers to all humans created by Him.

Abraham Maslow, in his writing entitled "A Theory of Human Motivation" states that humans not only need physical needs and a sense of security, but also love. There is a mother who wrote this letter to Dr. Randal Wright. “I am 80 years old, born in into a good family. My grandmother was the daughter of a prominent leader, but I never heard grandma say the word love. My mother was the second of eight children. I was the second of the three. I never saw my mother and father hug or kiss. I was raised during the depression. My father was a traveling salesman. He would sign his letters, “oodles of love” but that was the only time I ever heard or read that word. My mother died at 97. I visited her every day for the last seven years. She never said, “I love you” once, and I never said it to her. Mother had never ever hugged or kissed me. I kissed her casket -- first time. I am the mother of five sons and one mentally handicapped daughter. She is the only one I can hug and kiss. My husband was very starved for any physical affection too -- he took his own life. All of this I now realize that I was starved for some physical affection. Keep teaching this message. Thank you!”

Many people do not get the love like this mother and her husband. Because they do not know God's love, they look for it in the wrong things: alcohol, drugs, or free sex. They usually grow up to be hard, rigid, have little feelings for others, and are selfish. Some are even cruel like what happened to Nicky Cruz who was born in Puerto Rico. His parents were devil worshipers. When he was little, he was often beaten by his father. As a result, he grew up to be a bitter teenager, full of anger and hatred. When he was 15 years old, his parents sent him to New York to live with his older brother. But he preferred to live on the streets and join the most feared gang in Brooklyn, the Mau Maus. Because he was good at fighting and very sadistic, he finally became the leader of a very powerful gang.