Love Is the Reason

by Joanne Lowe
Published December 24, 2007

“When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

Matthew 2: 9 - 11
King James Version

Christmas is not about being good for Santa Claus so he will bring us presents on Christmas day. It’s also not about buying trees, eating big meals and spending so much money on gifts that we can’t pay our bills. Christmas has nothing to do with material things. The unconditional love of a Holy God for His children is the reason for Christmas.

It was the giving, tender, compassionate, amazing and unconditional love from the heart of our loving Heavenly Father that caused Him to send His only beloved Son into the world. Because of His heart of mercy, grace and compassion for us, God sent His only beloved Son into a world that was filled with corruption and sin for the redemption of our sins. Christmas is about giving unconditional love to others from our hearts.

It’s about the love of our dear Heavenly Father who loves us so much that He gave us the gift of the Christ Child. However, Jesus didn’t stay a baby. He grew up and went to the cross and suffered an agony that you and I will never be able to fully comprehend. Think about the worse pain that you have ever experienced and you will have just a fingernail glimpse of the pain that our precious Saviour endured for us.

Jesus endured all of the horror of the cross and all of the physical and emotional pain because He loves us so much. Yes, love, unconditional love, is the reason for Christmas. It was unconditional love from the heart of our compassionate Saviour as He hung there on that cruel cross that caused Him to say “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23: 34). He didn’t have to stay on the cross. He could have come down from that cross but He loves us so much that He stayed on that cross. What love; what mercy and what grace our precious Saviour has for us!

One of the best gifts you can give to your loved ones and friends is to forgive them for hurting you and never remind them about it again. You may have told them that you forgave them but you still have unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment in your heart. You have not forgiven them. You have only told them that you forgive them. Until you forgive them from your heart, not only are you in bondage from your unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment, you are hurting Jesus.

If you want to give Jesus a gift on His birthday that will cause His heart to rejoice, forgive the people who have hurt you. That is what He did while hanging on the cross for us. If you have never given your heart and life to Jesus, there is no better gift you can give Him than for you to give Him your heart and life. He gave us the greatest gift that can be given, unconditional love from His heart. Can you honestly say that you love others as He has commanded us to love them? If not, ask Him to melt your hardened heart and fill it with forgiveness, compassion and unconditional love for the people that He died for on the cross of pain and agony.

Happy Birthday, Jesus. Thank You for loving us so much that You died for us. You are so wonderful, so kind, so tender, so understanding and forgiving. May we on Your birthday do the things and say the things that will bring joy to Your heart. Help us to love others unconditionally and to forgive them from our hearts just as You love us unconditionally and forgive us from Your heart. Amen.

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