What is the Meaning of Christmas?

Christmas is more than gifts for family and friends.  This is a time of celebration as people from all different faith groups come together to acknowledge that Jesus, God's son, was sent to earth as the greatest gift from God over 2000 years ago.

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth.  God is the creator of all things, from the stars in the sky to the ground on the earth.  From the very beginning of creation, God had a plan to save mankind.  God created man to glorify and worship God, man chose to sin which separated him from God.  But God loved man so much that he sent His one and only son to earth, so the relationship between God and Man could be restored.

Throughout the Old Testament it is prophesied that a Savior would come into the world to set men and women free from their sins.  The New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ is the Savior - God's son!  Jesus was not born in a glitzy castle, but in a lowly stable and placed in manger.  When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, there was not a Holiday In or a Ritz Carlton, the only place they found to stay was a stable where Jesus was born.

Typically we celebrate birthdays with cake, balloons, friends, and gifts.  When Jesus was born, He did not have a fancy crib, fancy clothes from Babies-R-us, but was wrapped in scraps of fabric, a very humble beginning for the King of Kings.  Amazingly when God wanted to announce Jesus' birth (the Messiah, the Savior of the world) he did not send His messenger angels to kings and priests, He sent them to simple shepherds who left their sheep and went to see and worship Jesus.  They left their comfort zone and sought out the Comforter, Jesus Christ.

After the shepherds saw baby Jesus, they told others about the exciting things they had seen and heard.  Amazingly, Wise Men saw a sign in the sky, a bright star (something that they studied) that led them to Jesus.  Jesus is the light of the world!  The world is full of darkness and sin, but Jesus came into the world to be the light.  Since Jesus is the light, there is no darkness or sin in Him at all, He is perfect!  As was the custom of the day, visitors brought gifts to the people they visited.  When the Wise Men came to visit baby Jesus, they brought gifts to Him.  Each of the gifts was a visual description of Jesus.

  • The first gift was gold, a symbol of kingship, Jesus is the King of Kings. 
  • The second gift was frankincense, used by priest during ceremonies, Jesus is the High Priest.  We no longer have to go through a human in order to get to Jesus. 
  • The third gift was myrrh, which was used to prepare a body for burial.  Jesus was buried and then rose again.

We celebrate Christmas because of the birth of Jesus.  Why did Jesus have to be born and come to earth?  At the very beginning of time, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and that created a separation between God and Man.

God wanted to restore that relationship so He sent His one and only Son.  Jesus Christ was born in a manger, lived a sinless life, died on a Roman Cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb and rose again the third day.  He now lives in Heaven where you can live eternally with Him.  All you have to do is receive His free gift of salvation.

As you exchange gifts with family and friends, consider "have you received the greatest gift ever given?"

Is Santa Real?

Parents, how to answer a child when they ask, "Is Santa Real?"  Download the PDF.

 

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Christmas?

Parents

Christmas is a special time to worship and celebrate Jesus' birth.  Christmas should be a happy time, but sometimes the hustle and bustle of the season replaces the joy.  As a parent, you set the pace for your family so try to slow down so you can "hear the bells ring" and be glad and sing."

BOOKS

  • ‘The Christmas Story’ from Tommy Nelson Publishing, uses the exact scripture with the pictures, illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson

  • ‘The Christmas Star’ Tyndale House Publishers, tells the Christmas story with soft sculpture illustrations, Sculptures by Christine Potter, Story adapted from the Bible by Moira Butterfield

  • ‘The Pine Tree Parable’, by Liz Curtis Higgs which doesn’t tell the story of Christmas but is a cute story that could lead into telling the true meaning of Christmas’

  • 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ is a great book!

ACTIVITIES

Because of our own play memories or lack of knowledge about developmental stages, we may be tempted to purchase something a child isn't interested in or that is too advanced.  Parents can greatly enhance meaningful play by observing their child at play, playing with them, and shielding them from the constant bombardment of toy manufacturers.  Remember all toys are not created equal.

Children do not need every toy available. This Christmas season, keep Christ as the center of all activities, including the purchase of toys for your child.  Make the gift one that will be a benefit to your child in his/her development and growth.  Listen to your heart and look for those teachable moment events in the "toy" department.  Six ways to share the message of Christ as you go:

  • Use stamps with a Christian message for all correspondence
  • Send cards with ma biblical message
  • Allow your child/children to distribute candy canes to store clerks who are often frustrated during the busy Christmas season
  • Take food to a senior adult living alone
  • Invite new neighbors to supper, and share a devotion before the meal
  • As you wrap gifts, pray for the people who will receive the gift
    (six ways used with permission provided by Elisa Morgan, parentlife magazine - Lifeway Publications)

TOYS

Think back to your own childhood and you'll most likely remember at least one toy that still can put a smile on your face.  It may have been a train set, a set of walk-e-talkies, a ballerina doll, or a simple board game.  Toys evoke powerful memories sn we as parents know that if "real" toys aren't available, children will create a "plaything" from almost anything.  children play wherever they are.  They play for pleasure, but it is also serious business because they are learning about the world, and toys are tools that help them in their discoveries.  Children fall in love with toys for all the wrong reasons.  Adults must ask the tough questions in order to keep children safe.  When selecting toys, keep a few thing in mind to make play more fun and meaningful:

  • Is it safe?

  • Is the toy shatterproof and free of sharp edges?

  • Can it cause injuries with parts that fly or shoot off?

  • Does it contain small parts that can cause choking?

  • Does it bear the seal form the American society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)?'

  • Does it encourage imaginative, active participation?

  • Children quickly tire of toys that require passive observation.  They want to move them about, create story lines with the, build with them and experiment.

  • Is it age appropriate?

Your Preschool and Children's leaders wish you and your family a safe and blessed Christmas season, bring someone with you to services at Edmond's First Baptist Church this Christmas season.