Good Tidings Under the Tree
“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10–11
Every Christmas brings the same question: What do you want? We ask it of our children, our friends, and sometimes even ourselves. Yet the first Christmas answered a deeper question. What do you really need? The angel did not announce gifts, decorations, or traditions. He announced a Savior.
Many people missed the first Christmas. The innkeeper missed it. The politicians missed it. The religious leaders missed it. And it is still possible to be surrounded by Christmas and miss Christ. The only people who truly experienced that first Christmas were the ones who chose to seek Him. The angel said, “You will find the baby.” We should always seek after Jesus. The shepherds said, “Let us go and see.” Seeking is always a choice.
The first gift God offers you this Christmas is forgiveness. A Savior was born because you needed saving. God is not angry with you. He is reaching for you. He does not want to remind you of your past. He wants to erase it. If your greatest need had been information, God would have sent a teacher. If it had been money, He would have sent a provider. But your greatest need was forgiveness, so He sent Jesus.
You cannot save yourself. Trying harder will not rescue you. Only surrender will. When you stop pretending you have it all together and admit you need Him, salvation becomes real. You do not get good to get God. You get God, and He begins to change you.
The second gift of Christmas is peace of mind. Many people look for peace in distractions, relationships, busyness, or numbing the pain. But peace does not come from escaping life. It comes from being reconciled to God. Even in difficult seasons, His peace settles your heart. When fear tries to rise, His peace reminds you that your past is forgiven, your present is held, and your future is secure.
There may be noise around you this Christmas. There may be emotions you do not fully understand. But sometimes the noise is the sound of freedom. Freedom to smile again. Freedom to breathe again. Freedom to live without fear.
This Christmas, seek the gifts that last. Forgiveness. Peace. Freedom. They are waiting for you in Christ.
Prayer: Jesus, I come to You this Christmas needing what only You can give. I receive Your forgiveness and Your peace. Quiet my heart and set me free. Thank You for being my Savior. Amen.
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