Joy and Meaning

<p>Christmas season is always something I look forward to. Excitement can be seen and felt everywhere I turn: music is coming from shops, and people are singing carols. The Christmas season brings to town upcountry folks, and the streets of the cities are full of people as the shopkeepers have brought in new merchandise just for the Christmas season. The atmosphere in people’s homes changes as well. This is a time when friends are invited to share meals and relatives who live far away are also invited for meals and fellowship. It’s a family reunion!</p><p>.</p><p>The coming of Jesus from heaven to earth, which we celebrate during the Christmas season, truly changed the world forever. It changed human history! It gave the hope of a family reunion—the reunion of God and His creation. Though the world had become alienated from God because of humanity’s sin, God was reconciling the world to Himself through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 8:18-25; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).</p><p>.</p><p>The celebration of Jesus’s birth brought excitement and singing in heaven before it did on earth. The angel who broke the good news of Jesus’s birth to the shepherds was joined by the heavenly host, and they praised God and said, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:13-14).</p><p>.</p><p>And the giving and receiving of gifts during Christmas season is a reminder of what God the Father did for us over two thousand years ago. He gave us the greatest and best of gifts that ever can be given—His own Son, Jesus Christ! “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). Jesus came from the Father to die for our sins, and because of His death and resurrection, He gives us the gift of everlasting life (John 3:16). Receiving this gift brings great joy to whoever puts their trust in Jesus. It also causes great joy in heaven, for Jesus says, “there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents” (Luke 15:10). • Charity Kiregye