So Christmas is coming around again. You may be happy about that or you may not be. 

Every year in the schemes of Scotland, it’s the same scene—inflatable snowmen tethered to fences blowing around precariously in the wind, coloured fairy lights draped round doorways, and illuminated Santa faces stuck to the inside of people’s windows.

But that’s only some people’s homes. Other homes remain dark and undecorated, for the entire season—a visual reminder of the struggle of many people’s lives or the indifference of many to any idea of joyful celebration. Even many of the most excitable, self-proclaimed ‘Christmas enthusiasts’ in our schemes aren’t looking forward to much more than eating and drinking as much as they can get their hands on and spending extortionate sums of money (money that many don’t even have) on presents for kids and other family members. For the fortunate, Christmas is a time for plastic trees, family arguments, hangovers, and amassed debt. For others, Christmas is a time of loneliness and despair. This Christmas will be tougher than most.

Good News of Great Joy 

But as Christians, we have the most joyful news to share and celebrate. We have wonderful news of full and complete contentment found in this ‘little baby Jesus’. He is the one who crushed the serpent’s head. He is the One who is God, yet grew up as a man and lived a sinless life and was therefore exclusively qualified to conquer sin and death by dying on the cross in our place. He is the One who rose in power and victory. The question then, for us all, is: Will you believe in Him? Will you trust Him?

This news is not dependent on how good or bad you’ve been, or how much money you have, or how many loving and caring family members you can squeeze around your kitchen table. 

It is far better than that. This news is for everyone—for the lonely, the lowly of heart, the orphan, the widow, the lost. It is meaningful news, worthy of joyful celebration. It is news of such substance and excitement that the heavenly host themselves cannot contain themselves. They proclaim:

Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased! 

Promise Fulfilled

Jesus is the promised Messiah that was prophesied about throughout the Old Testament and then fulfilled in the New Testament. He has already come, and He has made a way that all who will believe in His name and put their trust in Him can know forgiveness of sin and new life in Him. 

That is what Christmas is all about.  

That is real cause for celebration.