The Secret of Christmas

December 3, 2000

The most wonderful time of the year is here again. It's time to bake cookies, make candy and wear Christmas ties. I don't know who started it, but I enjoy seeing wreaths on cars. That, along with Christmas lights at night, just makes for "cheer" everywhere.

Why is this? What is it about Christmas that brings out so much joy? The answer is in one word: "Jesus." It is all because of Jesus. Without Him, there is no Christmas!

"It's A Wonderful Life" is my favorite movie of all time. It depicts what Christmas is all about, love and sacrifice. Love and sacrifice brought Jesus to earth. He is love and He willingly gave His life as a sacrifice for you and me. That is indeed "glad tidings!"

I have found the words joy, joyful, joyed, glad and gladness mentioned over and over in the Bible. One of my favorites is "...the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). Another special one to me is "But let all who take refuge in you be glad, let them ever sing for joy" (Psalm 5:11 NIV). I just have to mention Psalm 149:5: "Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds." I challenge you to do that just that. You will be blessed.

Joy just comes with Jesus. When the Magi saw the star, "they were overjoyed" (Matthew 2:10 NIV). Why? Because He is "Joy to the World." A Savior is born.

Those who have accepted him are forgiven, redeemed and made righteous through Him. Sin has lost its hold. The bondage of sin has been broken. The joy of Jesus brings expectant hope and zest. I like the acrostic "Joy." J is for Jesus. O is for others. Y is for you.

I've made up my own acrostic for Christmas:

C---Christ Child: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:16).

H--Heaven: "...they shall see the Son of man coming in the couds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30).

R--Redeemer: "For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee" (Proverbs 23:11).

I--Immanuel: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Matthew 1:23).

S--Savior: "And she shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

T--Truth: "Jesus saith unto him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me'" (John 14:6).

M--Master: "...your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him" (Ephesians 6:9).

A--Almighty: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8).

S--Salvation: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

How can we not celebrate the greatest gift to all mankind? He is "joy unspeakable and full of glory. The heart of Christmas is Jesus in the heart.

That's the secret of Christmas!