The Christ in Christmas
Have you ever wondered what makes Christmas so…magical? Cheerful songs resound, and the fragrance of baked delights drifts on the breeze as pinpricks of light flicker in the night. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what’s the source? Jesus Christ, the light of the world (John 8:12).
Though the holiday has gone a long way from being a time of worship (mass) for Jesus (Christ), His name is still sung about by people from every social class and religious background. Santa Claus may take the primetime media slots, but that mystical figure was once just a man inspired by Jesus towards incredible generosity. And people feel the need to give and gather and break bread together. Why? Because of the memory of Christ’s great sacrifice which would unite all people in Him.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
— Isaiah 9:6
If Christmas is about Jesus, what was He about? He was sent to proclaim good news to the poor and freedom to the captives (Luke 4:18). For those who had nothing, Jesus offered hope of a future where they reigned with God. And those bound by sin, guilt, and Satan’s power could be set free.
When Jesus spoke about Himself, He said, “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost,” (Luke 19:10). Like a father desperately searching for his son, Jesus runs after those who have lost their way. He finds us in the worst places, lifting us out of the muck to put a ring on our finger and a robe on our back as part of His royal family. And what does He want for us afterwards? Read His own words: “that they may have life and have it abundantly,” (John 10:10).
So, what’s worth celebrating at Christmas? Jesus Christ is the sweetness in every candy cane and the meaning behind the stripes. He’s the tree of life at the center of the house, gleaming with light in the darkness and surrounded by gifts for one and all. He is still the reason for the season. So, love Him today—and all year—with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.
You can also join hands with Operation Blessing this holiday season to demonstrate God’s love through acts of compassion. Together, we can give hope to the hopeless and serve as the hands and feet of Christ in a hurting world.
25 Christmas Scriptures From The Bible
Isaiah 7:14 — Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:18 — Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 9:6 — For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Matthew 1:21 — She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
John 1:14 — And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Matthew 1:30-33 — And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Luke 2:10-11 — And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Galatians 4:4-5 — But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Luke 2:13-14 — And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
John 3:16-17 — For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Isaiah 11:3-4 — And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.
John 8:12 — Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Matthew 2:1-2 — Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise menfrom the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Micah 5:2 — But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Matthew 4:23-24 — And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Isaiah 61:1-2 — The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Philippians 2:5-8 — Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
John 15:13 — Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
James 1:17 — Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Acts 20:35 — In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
John 13:34-35 — “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Philippians 2:3-4 — Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Colossians 3:15 — And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
2 Corinthians 9:15 — Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Romans 15:13 — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
As these Christmas Scriptures fill your heart with hope this holiday season, we pray this prayer from Romans 15:13 for you, asking God to bless you beyond measure with hope that can’t be shaken, and we ask that you join us in praying the same for the people in your life who need it most and for the suffering families around the world that Operation Blessing is helping.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
— Romans 15:13
Scripture is quoted from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.