Christmas Makes A Lot of Difference

Can you feel the difference when christmas is near? There's just something special to the christmas season - and to many people, they would admit that christmas is the best time of the year. Most christians and almost all christian nations celebrate christmas. It is the season to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, there are others who would argue that Jesus was not born on christmas day. Perhaps they may be right as it is never recorded in the Bible the exact date of His birth. But the birth of Jesus simply makes a big difference in the life of many christians. Had He not been born, there won't be christmas after all. There would be no "season of peace, joy, and hope". There won't be a colorful season of lights, singing, and the togetherness of families and friends. No gift giving. Children won't be expecting to receive toys. There's no caroling. Think of this for a little while. While it is true that Christmas is the most celebrated season in this world, if there would be no christmas, the most celebrated occassion in the western world is halloween. It's just a big wonder why people would love to celebrate scary things or something that depicts evil which can be seen in evil costumes by many people. This is just a big contrast to christian beliefs. When Jesus was born, His birth was simply celebrated only by a few people - His parents (Mary and Joseph), the wise men from the East, the shepherds, and the angels. Today, His birth is celebrated world wide. Amidst all the joys and celebration, the gift giving and singing, the laughter and fun, the lights and sounds of the season, it should be remembered that Christ's coming isn't focused on celebration. It should be remembered that His coming was a big sacrifice. Can you imagine a king to be born in a manger? No benefit of protection from possible infection which could mean certain death? A king born in swaddling clothes and laid on straw. This is a very big contrast to the safety measures done in today's modern hospital care. He was born in a place with the stinking smell of animal manure! That is a big NO in today's modern society. Most of all, let us remember that His coming was to bring hope to mankind. Hope that there is salvation from sin. Can you imagine a sinless being will die in place of our guilt? Can you imagine a sinless being will die in behalf of a thief, a murderer, a liar, an adulterer, or of the most unimaginable sinful man in this world? Today, a criminal in court would do his best not to suffer the consequences of his evil action. But Jesus never defended Himself from all false accusations. Indeed, He placed in Himself the sins of man that we may have hope to live in eternity. Can you imagine Jesus, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, dying in a very barbaric way? Being crucified on the cross. Today, the most notorious criminal is treated with a painless death. Today, a rabid dog is put to death in the most humane way possible. But imagine Jesus dying in great pain and agony on the cross! That act of God is the most important reason why we should celebrate God's love for mankind - for sending His only Son to die in our place. It should be remembered that without the coming of our Lord Jesus, our living in this world is worth nothing - simply useless. Without Christ's coming, we can simply always say, "Let us drink and be merry for tomorrow we die." Yes, there is a very important reason for christmas that makes a lot of difference. It is God's love.