Merry Christmas to you and your family!

One of the Bible’s principal thrusts is not only that humanity needs saving but that we occupy a dreadfully weary world. A simple glance at the surrounding world measured against an honest self-inventory will more than reveal just how much we need Christmas.

When I say we need Christmas, I suppose I mean at least two things.

First, I’d say Christmas brings refreshment to the world. It’s nice to have at least one day during the year when, for the most part, even our society expects people to think of others before themselves. The longstanding practice of Christmas gift-giving demonstrates this.

Although, it is true that people wrap and give gifts for various reasons or occasions. Still, if an unfamiliar onlooker required an explanation for the gift, the giver would unhesitatingly explain its purpose, whether to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or whatever. With such an explanation comes the assumption that everyone giving gifts at the gathering is doing so for the same reason. One of the oldest Christmas traditions is to give gifts. No matter what anyone believes concerning the holiday, there’s no denying that a Christmas gift remembers Christmas. Ultimately, to remember Christmas is to honor Christ, intentionally or unintentionally.

Christians do so intentionally. That’s why churches aren’t bare on Christmas Day. At least, they shouldn’t be. I dare say Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartland, Michigan, will have people in its pews who know the second reason the world needs Christmas.

The kind of people who venture out on Christmas Day intent on gathering in worship know full well that the point of Christmas isn’t gift-giving. This is true because they have a better sense. This sense—faith—knows that if our hearts aren’t set on the gift of Christ, we’ll never be satisfied by anything we might discover wrapped and resting beneath a Christmas tree. Unsurprisingly, the folks bearing this better sense manage to keep the Christmas vigil into and through this weary world’s less glittery days. This is true because they know and believe all year long alongside Saint Paul, who wrote “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1 Timothy 1:15). They rejoice each day alongside Saint John, who insisted that “the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). They know their need for rescue from the all-consuming powers of darkness no mortal in history has ever been able to conquer. Christmas observes this world’s timeline and says, “This is when it began.” It celebrates with precision the One who stepped into this world’s dreariness to begin the impossible feat. It marks the One who came to give us far more than seasonal refreshment. He came to win eternal rest from Sin, Death, and Satan’s dreadful curse.

Yes, Christmas is refreshing. Yes, Christmas is traditionally celebrated through gift-giving. But Christians know there’s far more to it than these things.

Interestingly, when it comes to Jesus, Christians know the gift-giving order will always be reversed at His divine party. We’ll gather in His house for worship. As we do, the Gospel gifts of life and salvation won by the Christmas Savior are abundantly showered upon us. It’s the only birthday party where the One being celebrated gives cosmically grander gifts than the attendees could ever afford or even think to bring.

Indeed, we need Christmas. Thankfully, we have it. And you’ve been invited to its tremendous festival. The Gospel of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for your redemption is not only the gift but also the invitation. By the power of the Holy Spirit at work for faith, receive it—and then act on it! Attend the party! Rejoice with the One who put aside His divine glory, choosing instead the lowly confines of a manger, ultimately foreshadowing His forthcoming work as the suffering servant. Celebrate with the One who did all of this for you! In all my years as a pastor, I’ve never met anyone who regretted coming to the Lord’s Christmas celebration.

Again, Merry Christmas to you!