Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birth, but in a way, it’s also a reminder of His sacrifice. Just as He was wrapped up in swaddling clothes as a baby when He was first declared the Messiah, He was later wrapped and buried after His death — a death He died all so that we could have eternal life. God offers us the gift of salvation, wrapped up in His Son — and all we have to do is reach out and receive it.

He was born in the most humble of circumstances. He grew up on the poor side of town. He certainly never won any popularity contests amongst the religious establishment. He died on what they assumed would be a “story-ending” cross between common thieves. Yet He remains to this day the Central Figure of the human race. He’s the Savior of all mankind, this Jesus. Let Him change your heart. Let Him change your life. Let Him change your world. Let Him change your eternity.

For centuries throughout Old Testament times, the people waited on the promise that a Messiah would come. During that period of waiting, the Israelites experienced a lot of darkness before the Light of the World arrived. Like them, we all go through difficult seasons, but when we cling to the hope we have in Christ, He brings light to the darkest corners of our lives.

When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them free reign in what you’d consider “paradise on earth”: the Garden of Eden. They had just one command to follow — and as we all know, they blew it. Their decision to sin in that moment set the stage for every generation of humanity since, and our imperfect, sinful nature has caused our separation from a perfect, holy God. We needed a flawless sacrifice to cover our sin and bridge the gap between us and God. That sacrifice came in the form of a baby boy who would grow up to pay the ultimate price on our behalf, taking our sins to the cross and dying for us, all so we could be made right with God.

What’s in a name? In God’s case: everything! Some of the world’s most famous people — athletes, actors, historical figures — are remembered by just their first name. But the most notable is the name that was given to a baby boy by His earthly father, who was told by an angel to name that baby boy “Jesus”. And it wasn’t just a name for a child — it was the name for the Child who was born to save the world.

When it comes to letting Jesus into our lives, many of us are more likely to put up a “No Vacancy” sign than we are to roll out the welcome mat. But when we finally turn off the “No” and make room for Him, Jesus changes our hearts and our lives from the inside out.

What Child is this? He’s the Son of God. He’s the King of kings. He’s the Lord of lords. Available to all. If you feel lost, He’s the Way. If you feel lied to, He’s the Truth. If you feel dead, He’s the Life.

The Christmas story is about Jesus giving Himself for us. He came to earth as a baby who would grow up to die for our sins. And in response, He asks us to love Him with our whole selves and hold nothing back. When we give Him all of us, it’s amazing how He uses that commitment to change the world around us.

This universe-creating, Heaven-preparing, all-knowing, all-powerful God has done all that He’s done – including coming down to earth in the form of the holy Gift Jesus – for the primary benefit of “all those on the earth who worship Him”. Are you right with, worshipping, and ready for the One who came “down to earth” for YOU?

How amazing is it that God wants to use you and me to reach people?! But in order to do that, we have to be willing to see past the “impossible” and believe in Him to make all things possible. There’s no better time and no greater opportunity than Christmas to step out in obedience and boldly proclaim the Gospel – let’s trust God to give us the words and the courage we need.

God told four different people about His plan to send His Son to this earth in order to save all those who believe in Him from their sins. And in doing that, He gave hope to humanity. Because we have the Holy Spirit living inside us, we now have the responsibility and the privilege of telling the world what He’s done for us and for them.

The air we breathe, the things we own, the people we know, the unique gifts and talents we possess… everything we have comes from God, and to live obediently means being willing to give it all back to Him. He wants to use us as part of His plan to reach a broken and fallen world — but we have to first offer ourselves and all that He’s given us to be part of that plan and purpose.