Christmas time invokes many different emotions and thoughts … presents, giving, Santa Claus etc. For some people this time is a bit of a chore. For others they see it as a party, family or holiday time. These things, however, need to be put in a proper perspective. They are not the reason for Christmas itself.

For a minority, Christmas is a time of real celebration because of Jesus’ birth. Where sin had destroyed the relationship between God and man, Jesus’ birth heralds the way this can be restored. It was, however, lost on most of the people of Jesus’ time. Only a small number, during his earthly life believed that he was born to die as a sacrifice and substitute for them. Later this was to become many millions all throughout history.