“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
Luke 2:10 (NKJV)

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to watch this video during the church service, and it deeply moved me to see my granddaughter Rachel preaching the true gospel. It’s tremendous to see how Christmas has increasingly lost meaning, even among believers.

This passage from Luke perfectly describes what this time should be: Joy for the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The word “nativity” (from which the word “Christmas” comes) means “birth,” and Christmas should be focused on remembering and living out Jesus’ redemptive work.

The Word teaches us that this is a time of great joy, and I desire that it truly is. I want to remind you that joy is different from happiness, as happiness is fleeting, while joy is permanent, coming from the Holy Spirit.

It’s been times of great instability; I know many have faced significant challenges personally, within their families, and especially in financial areas. But dear friend, do not lose hope; Christmas, that is, Jesus, is the hope of the entire world, and I want to encourage you to surrender your burdens to Him. Even if you haven’t been at peace with God, this is the moment to reconcile.

My longing is that you may put Jesus at the center of this Christmas and that around Him, you may experience a celebration filled with peace, joy, and family harmony.