“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

When my granddaughter unpacks our nativity set every year, she meticulously unwraps each piece and carefully places them in their “correct” place in and around the olive wood stable. Identifying every piece as she opens these treasures, she always seems to be looking for the one that is the most special of all–baby Jesus.

Families all over the world will celebrate Christmas year after year. Sadly, many will open their beautifully wrapped presents under a tree in anticipation of that one special gift, only to miss the greatest and most beautiful gift of all.

The babe born in a manger is more than a heartwarming story of ages past. This event shows us the miracle of a virgin birth and the fulfillment of Isaiah’s 700 year old prophecy that is only the beginning of our redemption story. This tiny babe was and is special because God came. In human form. This same Jesus lived as an example for us, serving and loving the least among us–demonstrating for us the character of God. To show us how much He loves us. Though He did nothing wrong, the Son of God would become the suffering servant. His crucifixion was a surrendering of His life as a sacrifice for our sin. Conquering death, the risen Savior became the greatest gift we could ever receive.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!  He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:4-9

I see more than just a tree–I see the Christ of the Christmas tree. More than a beautiful evergreen decorated with sparkly lights, it reminds me that the God of the universe created the very tree that would be a cruel form of torture for the Son of God.

The wreath that I hang on my door to welcome guests is a circular reminder of God’s perfect love–a love so sacrificial that the King of Kings wore a crown of thorns.

This beloved story of Christmas isn’t just for the month of December. This same Jesus changes hearts and lives every day of the year, and His message continues to be the one true source of hope, peace, and joy that the world is searching for. Don’t miss Jesus this Christmas–He wants to give you the greatest gift you have ever received.

“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31