“On this side of eternity, Christmas is still a promise. Yes, the Savior has come, and with Him peace on earth, but the story is not finished…Every Christmas is still a “turning of the page” until Jesus returns. Every December 25 marks another year that draws us closer to the fulfillment of the ages, that draws us closer to… home.

When we realize that Jesus is the answer to our deepest longing, even Christmas longings, each Advent brings us closer to His glorious return to earth. When we see Him as He is, King of kings and Lord of lords, that will be “Christmas” indeed!”

From A Christmas Longing by Joni Eareckson Tada

Every parent knows the excitement that Christmas creates in our children. By the age of 2 and definitely 3, our children feel the electric delight that is in the air. There are bright lights, colorful decorations, and lively music everywhere you turn. This usually begins after Thanksgiving, but in recent years it seems that the Fall holidays are completely railroaded by the urgent desire to get the Christmas season (and all the spending that goes with it), up and going. As believers, this is a wonderful time of year for us especially, as we know the true reason for the season. But do our children? And to what extent? A nativity story the week of Christmas? Putting out our decor that hails, “Jesus is the Reason for Season!”? Sunday School lessons on the wise men and baby Jesus? Those of course are good, but is it enough? Do you take the time to prepare their hearts and minds for all that this advent, this glorious arrival, holds for their life? Do we, as adults, truly take the time to contemplate what Christmas means to us? Do we think about the cross at Christmas? Does this First Advent give us a hopeful desire for Christ’s Second Advent? How can we ensure our children see Christmas as more than gifts and a nativity scene? 

It starts with us. We must see beyond and before that wonderful Christmas day.

Christmas began before the creation of the world.

It was presented in the garden of Eden when a Savior was promised to Adam and Eve.

The years of expectation for this Son of Man to come forged ahead. Generations came and went, with every Hebrew woman hoping that perhaps she would be the chosen one to be the blessed mother of the Messiah.

The revelations throughout the Old Testament gave glimpses of what He would be like- wonderful counselor, a kingly ruler, redeemer, the glory of Israel, the suffering servant.

Then, finally, the time came for the Lord to leave his throne and in humiliation, become a child. The Savior of the world, in which all of the Old Testament spoke had come. What every Jewish family had waited for had finally arrived!

But not everyone believed. Not everyone understood. This child would not have a life of a king or a warrior. He would suffer. He would experience every heartbreak, every temptation, every disappointment. For you, moms and dads. For you, my children. For you, dearest believer. He left it all. 

He did it for “the joy set before him..” (Heb.12:2). Because the story doesn’t end here. It is the beginning of an eternal joy for all who believe. And so this first Advent must not be seen as an isolated, or even a foretold event. But an event in a series of miraculous tidings that point to a second coming that will usher in the greatest completion of love there could be. When He comes again, He will come, not as a child or a servant, but as the Mighty King of Kings, “the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end”(Rev.22:13). As we think and teach about the First Advent, we must share about the second that is to come. When the curse will be gone, the serpent destroyed, and we will reign with Him in glory forever. That is what Christmas is about. That is why Jesus is the reason for the season. This is our hope and our joy, not for this time of year alone, but for every day.

So as we contemplate this season, let us take the time to tell our children the whole story of Christmas. 

The Lord be with you,

Bianca