Since we have friends and relatives living in different areas of the country, it has become my responsibility to write a ‘Christmas letter’. To tell the truth I am having major writers block. It just seems so insignificant anymore to write about the vacations we took, about the varying success of kids, health issues, etc. etc. etc. 

What I am contemplating writing about is that each year rolls around faster and faster. The Bible says, “What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14) But would that be a pleasant way to start a Christmas letter? I can hear the responses…Is he depressed or maybe he’s got a little too much religion? Some poor misunderstanding souls might say that he should have been a minister.

I guess my point is that the world just doesn’t get Christmas and I just find it hard wasting my time writing about things that really don’t matter a whole lot. Sure there is value with sharing our lives with others, but it is only safe because we don’t talk about the spiritual truth.

God intervened into human events in a major way over 2000 years ago. He spoke through His prophets that the Messiah would come, being born of a virgin. (Is 7:14) His name would be called Immanuel, meaning ‘ God with us’. He would be born in Bethlehem. (Mic 5:2) Furthermore, the prophets taught that He be would cut off (killed) for the transgressions of the people. (Is 53:8) He shall justify many for He shall bear their iniquities. (Is 53:11,12) Therefore, for those who have been justified by faith, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 5:1)

How do we go about shopping for gifts and planning for parties without giving any or little thought to the truth behind the celebration? It is a joyous time of year, but not because you’re planning to give or get something nice. It should be joyous because God provided a solution to a problem that you could not solve. He provided the perfect sacrifice in His Son to take away your sin as far as the east is from the west to be remembered no more! (Ps 103:12; Heb 10:17) Without the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ this would not be possible. If we really think about what God has done for us, shouldn’t that make us joyous everyday of the year? That’s the true Christmas letter!