Christmas comes and goes each year. The lights glow and then fade along with our Christmas Spirit. But did we even have the Christmas Spirit to begin with?

After watching one too many Hallmark movies, we could be convinced that Christmas is about romance, warmth, and hot cocoa. Yet, perhaps that is not what it really is at all.

When Jesus came to us so many years ago he came so humbly, a baby born among animals and placed in a manger. If Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas, I really don’t see how hot cocoa embodies the Christmas Spirit—even if it is liquid goodness.

Rather, humility, forgiveness, and gratitude are the traits that define the Christmas Spirit. Christ, the son of God, chose to come to us in tender humility. Likewise, in remembrance of His service, we ought to live in humility.

This means esteeming others as higher than yourself. It means remembering who you are and who it is that redeemed your life. The Christmas Spirit is not ostentatious Christmas lights or present-giving, but a serving and loving attitude.

Furthermore, gratitude should flow out of our hearts as we reflect upon God’s goodness to redeem us from sin through Jesus, our Savior. We do not have to be slaves to our sins and we do not have to carry the immense burden of payment for our sin. When we accept the Lord as Savior and repent of our sins we are free.

We are free!

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 5:8

If that does not make you want to jump up and down for joy, then I don’t know what will! With that forgiveness, how can we not be grateful? Forgiveness is one heck of a Christmas present.

Jesus Christ is the most undeserved, overwhelming gift we will ever receive. And once we truly realize that, the Christmas season means something entirely new and utterly wonderful.

Instead of Santa Claus, elves, and gifts, we have Jesus, freedom, and forgiveness. And that is something to celebrate! Christmas reminds us of the gift we have every day of our lives—salvation.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:11-12

Once that truth sinks in, once Jesus’ love strikes your core, the Christmas Spirit follows. After being given so much, how could we not want to pour it out to others. So we chose humility, gratitude and forgiveness.

Thank you Jesus for showing us the way. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your lowly birth. Thank you for willingly dying to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Thank you for Christmas—for it serves as a reminder to us all of your perfect love. And help us to embody the true spirit of Christmas which you exemplify so perfectly. We love you, Lord.

Amen.