In pondering this question, the first answer that came to my mind was from Bill and Gloria Gaither: “He came to love, heal, and forgive.” Then I thought of John 10:10 where Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The key, though, lies in 1 Timothy 1:15: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

Jesus’ whole life was spent showing us how to live, teaching how to pray, emphasizing the importance of loving others and thinking of others as better than ourselves. He was hard on those whose hearts were full of pride but compassionate toward those who needed Him.  He came because the Father sent Him to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

This is my favorite time of year. I love time off to spend with family, play games, eat good food, and watch people open the gifts I got them. I enjoy lying on my bed and looking at my Christmas lights and my fiberoptic tree. But I also like sitting in the stillness, thinking about my Savior and that night long ago when He was born in a stable. Then I think about my life–the one that I’m supposed to be living for Him–and I ask Him to show me the things that need to change in order to make me more like Him.

I hope that you have a blessed holiday season but don’t get so caught up in it that you forget the real Reason we celebrate.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!