I could go on with the poem, I suppose, but I won't. We know the gist of the story - Santa comes to a house, leaves presents and departs with the phrase "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night."
That's all well and good, but Santa's not the point of Christmas. Nor are the presents, the reindeer, the sleigh, snow, the Grinch, Charlie Brown (although Linus presents the real meaning of Christmas) or any Hallmark holiday movie.
Christmas is just the beginning of the story. The child born in the manger, Jesus, was the Son of God. He came as a human baby and grew up just like we did, but He knew what He was going to be when He grew up. He knew He was to be a sacrifice, giving up His life to provide salvation from sin. I can't imagine what it must have been like for Him. After being in heaven for eternity past, He came down to earth like one of His creations. He spent the next three decades or so as a man and then died, becoming the spotless offering God required. And then He rose from the dead, completing the offering. Amazing and awesome!
So, as Christmas Day approaches, remember its true purpose. Take a moment to thank Jesus for what He did. And God bless you.
