I sit here on Anchored in Hope, my heart full of thoughts, wondering how to express what’s stirring in my soul. Lately, I’ve heard the question many times: “What do we say instead of Christmas for those who are offended by its celebration?” But this post isn’t about a holiday—it’s about Jesus.
Over the past weeks, people have asked me to pray for them, longing to give their children a “good Christmas.” As I hear their hearts, I can’t help but think of heaven’s perspective on that first Christmas. I imagine the angels gathered around the Father, their eyes full of wonder. Would He really go through with it? Would He send His Son—this fragile baby—into a broken world? A world that would one day reject Him, pursue Him, and ultimately crucify Him?
As parents, we long to give our children the best, yet here was Abba Father, holding the greatest gift the world would ever know. A gift that He knew many would misunderstand or ignore. He didn’t offer riches or worldly comforts. He gave something far more precious: a piece of Himself.
The Word made flesh, the One who spoke the stars into being, was sent into our darkness. The Father didn’t merely name a star after us—He gave us the very One who hung those stars in the sky. And all so that, thousands of years later, we could open our hands and receive the gift of eternal life.
So, when we think we’ve fallen short in making Christmas “good enough,” let us remember this: The most incredible gift was already given over 2,000 years ago. It cost the Father everything, and it was given freely for you and me.
“My daughter, my son,” I imagine Him saying, “I gave you the most amazing gift. A gift beyond comprehension. The One who gave it all so you could be mine.”
Love was born in a stable, walked to a cross, and rose to give us life.
– Anchored In Hope
This is the true gift we celebrate—not just on Christmas, but every single day.
So as the world lights up with twinkling decorations and melodies of carols fill the air, we are reminded that Christmas is more than a season—it’s an invitation to encounter the heart of God. At the centre of this celebration is a profound love that altered the course of history.
In a humble manger, beneath a canopy of stars, Love was born. Jesus, the Word made flesh, stepped down from the splendour of heaven into our broken world. His first cries pierced the night, echoing the promise that God is with us—Emmanuel.
The birth of Christ was not a grand display of power, but a quiet, intimate declaration of love. It was God’s way of drawing near, of meeting us in our humanity. The manger whispers what our hearts long to hear: “You are loved beyond measure.”
This love didn’t come wrapped in ribbons or stored beneath a tree. It came wrapped in flesh, offered freely on a wooden cross. It is a love that sees us at our worst and chooses us still, a love that carries our burdens and mends our wounds.
As we gather with loved ones this Christmas, let us remember the heartbeat of this holy day. It’s not about the gifts we give or receive, but about the One who gave Himself. In every flicker of candlelight and every joyful laugh, may we see the reflection of Christ’s unending love.
Let His love fill the silent spaces of your heart this season. Let it remind you that no matter where you are or what you face, you are never alone. His love remains constant, a light in the darkness, a hope for every tomorrow.
As we reflect on the gift of Christmas, let us not forget the depth of the Father’s love—a love so immeasurable that He gave His only Son for us. The manger was only the beginning; the cross was His ultimate act of love. He died so we could live so that our broken hearts could find healing and our weary souls could find rest.
This love is personal. It’s the love of a Father who saw our need and willingly bore the cost. Because of His sacrifice, we are not just redeemed—we are cherished, held, and called His own.
This Christmas, let your heart be anchored in the truth that the Father’s love is what carries us through every season. A love that gave everything, so we could have everything in Him. A love that didn’t just change history—it changed us.
Dear Heavenly Father,
In this season when people focus on gifts and lights and gifts, help us to come before You with hearts full of gratitude. Thank You for the love that led You to give Your only Son, a love so vast and deep it chose to sacrifice for our redemption. You didn’t spare Yourself the pain, so we could know the joy of being Yours.
Lord, You saw us in our brokenness and met us with grace. You carried our sin, our shame, and our sorrow, bearing the weight we could never lift. You died so we might live—truly live—in the freedom and fullness of Your love.
Father, we are in awe of Your goodness. This Festive Season, draw our hearts closer to Yours. Let us rest in the assurance that we are deeply known and fiercely loved. Teach us to live in the light of that love, sharing it with those around us.
May our lives be a reflection of the sacrifice You made, and may our hearts overflow with the joy of knowing that because of You, we have eternal hope.
In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.
