The True Meaning of CHRISTmas

 If I were to go up to you right now, and ask, 'What is Christmas about?'  Could you truthfully, and with all your heart answer my question???
Many that I would ask would most likely nod their heads and pat their wallets full of Christmas gift money, and point to the table full of pies and casseroles.  They'd turn up the 94.1 Christmas station, and show me the 25 ft. tall tree of lights in the living room.  But is this really all there is to it?  I'm sure many of you have asked yourself this question before..., and I commend you for that.
So that is WHY I am writing this, so your question may be answered with the REAL answer, and not disdainfully filled with trees and colorful packages.
I'm sure you have probably heard of some story about a Baby named Jesus that was born in a manger.  I'm sure you have probably heard at least heard the part when the angels rejoiced, and a star shone above the place where He lay.  But are these stories true?  And what importance to they hold to me...today?

Two thousand years ago, is when it all started.  The Bible relays the story of Jesus' birth in Luke 2:7-9.
 But what really IS a manger?  I know we've all heard it, but do you really know what a manger is?  It's not some clean little wooden cradle, that's for sure.  In fact, it was the FEEDING trough for the ANIMALS.  Can you imagine being a new mother and having to put your baby in a dirty thing like that? 
But Baby Jesus' humble condition was all the more glorious.  When God sent His son in the form of a human being, He didn't want to show off, He simply wanted to show others how humble Jesus was. 
O.K., now you know the manger part.  But what about...why did Jesus have to come?
If your honest with yourself, you'll admit that your not perfect.  But here are a few commandments that are part of the TEN COMMANDMENTS, God's holy standard of living for His creation. 

You shall not Lie
You shall not steal
You shall not commit adultery
Honor your father and mother
Do not covet


So, have you broken any of the commandments above?  If so, (for Romans 3:23 says 'for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.') then you are a sinner.  And God, being holy and perfect in righteousness, cannot take sinners into Heaven with Him.  It doesn't matter if you gave to a children's project, helped out your local school, or gave away a million dollars, your still a sinner.  And our works are like filthy old rags compared to God's holy standard that He has placed for us.  So, then, (you may be wondering) what's my point in saying this if there is no hope from eternal judgment in Hell???
Jesus!!  That is WHY God sent His Son as a little helpless baby in a dirty, smelly manger.  To leave the glories of Heaven to come live His life with a bunch of sinners, and die on a cross for sins that He didn't commit. 
But He did it for us.  He did it for me.  He did it for YOU. 
And John 3:16 promises this,
'For God so loved the world, that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVES in Him, shall NOT perish, but have EVERLASTING life.'
That's a glorious promise straight from the Creator of you and me! There is hope this Christmas!
There's the hope that if you only believe in Jesus, that's He's the Son of God and died for YOUR sins on that cross, and if you repent of your sins and trust Him that you shall be saved. 
God knows you can't live up to the Ten Commandments, that's why He sent Jesus. 
So this Christmas season, are you just going through the motions like the rest of the world???
Or are you celebrating the TRUE reason for the season, a hope...everlasting.