Christmas is not about gifts. It’s about THE gift.

“Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”
— The Grinch

Luke 2:1-17
1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was pregnant.

In the ancient world, hope was in Caesar (humankind).

- How has putting hope in humankind worked out for us?

6While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. 9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

The good news of great joy

- God has a plan of hope that far exceeds anything humankind can come up with

13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying,14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.”15When the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem, then, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17When they had seen Him, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

Emmanuel - God is present and understanding

“I think we could use a little Christmas this Christmas” – Max Lucado