Immanuel Southern Baptist Church

Just in case you were wondering, the true meaning of Christmas cannot be found in Christmas Trees, Christmas Lights, or even Christmas Presents. We don’t buy it at Wal-Mart or Macy’s.

The true meaning of Christmas is this: God became flesh and dwelt among us. Immanuel. (John 1:14)

The full story can be found here: Luke 2:1-20

But why? What was the purpose of Jesus? John 3:16 says “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” (CEV)

You see, there was a problem. God loves us, but He HATES sin. There was only one solution: “He made Him who knew no sin (Jesus) to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (I Corinthians 5:21) God punished Jesus for OUR SIN! All of God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus on the cross.

When He came back to life, He provided the way for us to have eternal life, if we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that God raised Him from the dead, we can be saved from our sins. (Romans 10:9-10)

As we put our presents UNDER the Christmas Tree, God hung His gift to us ON the tree, that is the cross. If we accept that gift, then the punishment for our sin is fulfilled in Jesus. If, however, you do not accept that gift, you will face the full brunt of God’s wrath when you die. That is the “Good News” or the Gospel. That Jesus died in your place so that you don’t have to!

This Christmas, won’t you open your gift from God? The Bible says that “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved!” (Romans 10:13)