By Hannah Tang Peled
In many countries, Christmas is marked by festive lights, decorations on the streets, and busy shoppers in malls buying gifts for loved ones. I remember attending a Christmas service where families exchanged gifts durinng the programme. My children came home talking excitedly about the gift exchange, and I wondered what they truly understood about the meaning of Christmas.
While gift-giving was originally intended to celebrate God’s gift of salvation, the meaning of Christmas goes deeper. Christmas is a day set aside to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
The gospel writer Matthew recalled Isaiah’s ancient prophecy, saying:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:23)
The Apostle John further emphasizes the fulfilment of this prophecy, stating: “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
The birth of Christ Jesus is a powerful fulfilment of ancient prophecies and a profound demonstration of God’s desire to be present with us in this world He created.
Why did God allow His Son to experience life in the flesh, and how does Jesus’s birth connect us to God?
1. A God who knows our flesh and weakness
God sent His only Son to Earth fully human. Conceived by a virgin and born as a baby, Jesus grew year by year, from a toddler to an adult. There was no shortcut for God’s Son. He felt hunger, tiredness and pain. He was subjected to temptations just like us and He was the High Priest who could fully understand our struggles.
Unlike the first Adam, who disobeyed God, Jesus came to show how we can live a life of obedience. Though He was tempted, He remained without sin.
2. A God who is for us
Not only did Jesus bear our human weaknesses, but He also went on to die on the Cross for our sins. This act demonstrates that God is for us – working for our restoration, peace and eternal salvation.
3. A God who wants to be with us
When sin first entered the world, Adam and Eve tried to hide from God. “Where are you?” God called out to Adam—not because He didn’t know where Adam was, but because their relationship was broken. The worst consequence of sin is the eternal separation from God.
When God chose the people of Israel, He said: “I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.” (Exodus 29) God desired to restore the broken relationship with humanity. He wants to meet with us and be close us.
This was what Jesus did when He came to Earth. He was God in the flesh, interacting with people – both the religious and the sinners, the rich and the poor. He walked the streets, visited homes and ate with people. He healed the sick, wept with the grieving, and showed everyone that God was deeply interested in their lives. At His death, the curtain in the temple was torn to signify that we can now have direct access to God’s presence through Jesus.
The Bible describes Heaven as a place where God dwells with His people: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more…” (Rev 21:3-4a)
Immanuel—God with us—is God’s best gift for all of us. Through Christ’s coming, we can now experience a personal relationship with God, who is not distant but takes the initiative to draw near to us. He pursues us because we are His children, and He cares for us deeply.
When we believe in Jesus as our Saviour, we can be restored to a personal relationship with God and experience His Presence in our lives. This is the true meaning and significance of Christmas.
Family Christmas Activities: Your Presence is the Best Present!
As we celebrate Christmas, here are three meaningful family activities to help you focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
1. Spend quality time together. Take time to enjoy the company of your loved ones. Talk about what activities each person in the household enjoys and plan to do them together over the holiday season. Whether it’s ice skating, watching a Christmas movie, or decorating a Christmas tree at home, these moments will create lasting memories.
2. Bless others as a family. Consider doing something meaningful to bless others, such as baking Christmas cookies together and sharing them with your neighbours. This can help you connect with new people in your neighbourhood and spread joy with them.
3. Give back to the community. Join a volunteer event with your church or participate in the Advent Calendar of Kindness. Each day, open a new box with your family to discover heartwarming stories while helping those in need. These acts of kindness will reflect the love of God which is the heart of Christmas.
This Christmas, remember that God is eager to be with you and He wants to fill your heart with love and everlasting joy. May you experience the best gift of all—God’s Presence—in your life and in your household.
Wishing all parents and children a blessed Christmas!
