Long God the Father has always wanted a family! In Genesis 1:26, He says “Let us make man in our image.” In other words He wanted a family – children to love and care for and children who would bring honor to Him by growing up to be like Him! But something happened – that dream had a huge setback when his “kids” chose to rebel instead of obey. At that moment sin and separation came into the world. A holy Father had a choice to make – scrap His family or save His family! Thankfully the miracle of Christmas was born in God’s heart and mind – He would send his son as a human baby to grow up as the Son of man and the Son of God. He would live a perfect life and then become the perfect sacrifice in order to redeem (buy back) God’s family.

Each Christmas we remember this amazing fact – a fact that changed the course of history – yours and mine – as well as our future. A tiny babe was born to Mary and Joseph. This was not a normal baby – this baby was conceived in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit of God. This was God being born in human flesh. He became one of us, so that we could become one of His!

John 3:16 says that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” God the Father loved us so much that He gave! that’s the First Christmas.

You see Christmas is a family affair: God the Father sending His Son, born of His Spirit to a man and woman, Mary and Joseph, to save His people from their sins. Because of this you and I can be part of the family of God and we can teach our children the true meaning of Christmas – that God wants you to be part of His family.

To me the true meaning of Christmas is so much more awesome than anything the world has to offer. So this year, as you celebrate Christmas, don’t forget the babe born in Bethlehem who lived and died and is coming again and our Father who sent Him!

Merry Christmas (Have a joyful time celebrating Christ’s birth!)

Jim Long is pastor at Cutler Presbyterian Church.