Advent and the Nativity

Advent: The The Gospel Message & the Nativity

One of the things we can be certain of; Christmas will come and Christmas will go. A child anticipates the coming of Santa but is that what we want our children to remember? Or is that Christmas is the birthday of our Savior? It is all about Him, not Santa. Perhaps that is why the Apostle John spent so much time writing about Jesus, and why he chose to author five books in the NT.  Perhaps it is why he left the family business to follow Christ. Perhaps that is why when Christ said, “follow me,” he left it all behind. He never looked back but became the disciple whom Jesus loved, and was the only one not martyred for his faith.

John wanted all of those who read his letters to know that his full purpose was to proclaim the truth about Christ and His life as well as challenge us to follow Him fully as well. John’s message was that Jesus was the Word with God, life eternal, and He is light. Perhaps that is why we celebrate Christmas with lights.

As the angels rejoiced, so should we because Jesus was and is faithful and righteous, forgiving our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. He is our advocate with the Father. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the whole world.  And that is what Christmas is all about.

Without him, Advent has no meaning.  Come to him and know of him that you may have eternal life.  Take time this season to teach children the real meaning of Christmas; Christ came, lived, died, and rose again that they might know Him and be known by Him.