| "Christmas is a birthday party," says Ashley, | | | | the precious metal of royalty. Frankincense |
| age 11. "It's Jesus' birthday. At my church, | | | | was one of the spices in the incense burned |
| we get a big birthday cake for Jesus." | | | | daily in Israel's temple. And myrrh was used |
| | | | to anoint the body of Jesus for burial. Many |
| Ashley, you've got it right. Christmas is | | | | have seen the royalty, deity and death of |
| party time. It's time to celebrate God's | | | | Jesus in the wise men's gifts. |
| successful invasion of planet Earth. Yes, | | | | |
| "invasion" because the Son of God entered | | | | "When I look up at the stars, I see a big |
| hostile territory. In fact, after Jesus was | | | | star, and then it reminds me of Jesus," says |
| born, Mary and Joseph took their baby boy and | | | | Jed, 7. The wise men followed a star. At the |
| fled to Egypt. | | | | time of Jesus' birth, spectacular celestial |
| | | | displays were commonly associated with the |
| King Herod didn't like the idea of someone | | | | birth of someone great. |
| else being called king of the Jews. He | | | | |
| ordered that all the male children in | | | | An Old Testament messianic prophecy |
| Bethlehem 2 years old and younger be killed, | | | | predicted, "A Star shall come out of Jacob; A |
| but Jesus had already escaped. | | | | Scepter shall rise out of Israel" (Numbers |
| | | | 24:17). Jesus called himself "the Bright and |
| "I like to wake up on Christmas morning and | | | | Morning Star" and "the Offspring of David" |
| pray because I know today represents Jesus' | | | | (Revelation 22:16). |
| birth," says Bethany, 9. "I thank God for | | | | |
| Jesus and my family." | | | | The Apostle Peter calls the prophetic |
| | | | testimony concerning Jesus a "light that |
| How many kids (or even adults) wake up | | | | shines in a dark place, until the day dawns |
| praying on Christmas morning? I'm impressed. | | | | and the morning star rises in your hearts" |
| | | | (II Peter 1:19). We grope in darkness until |
| Kendall, 9, takes a more typical course of | | | | light from the bright morning star pierces |
| action: "One thing that Mom and Dad haven't | | | | our hearts. "In Him (Jesus) was life, and the |
| gotten used to yet is us kids waking them up | | | | life was the light of men" (John 1:4). |
| at 4 a.m. or 3 a.m. to open presents." | | | | |
| | | | "Christmas means a time of giving love and |
| Who needs sleep when there are presents to | | | | thanks that Jesus was born to die for our |
| open? "Christmas means getting clothes and | | | | sins," says Ryan (age unknown). "It's a time |
| stuff, and trying to wear it all on the first | | | | where we get together and thank the Lord. |
| day back to school," says Grace, 11. | | | | It's also a time to show love to our families |
| | | | and exchange gifts." |
| But that's not all from Grace. Christmas is | | | | |
| also "bugging your siblings when there is | | | | As Ryan stated, "Jesus was born to die for |
| nothing else to do on snowy days. It means | | | | our sins." This is the essence of the |
| asking your mother over and over how many | | | | Christmas story. Don't miss out on God's |
| days until Christmas." | | | | greatest gift to us. |
| | | | |
| It's easy to get so caught up in all the fun | | | | Point to ponder: Jesus is God's greatest gift |
| of Christmas traditions that we forget the | | | | to the world. |
| reason for the season. Jesus is the Messiah | | | | |
| that God promised. Wise men from the East | | | | Scripture to remember: "For by grace you have |
| knew this when they brought the Christ child | | | | been saved through faith, and that not of |
| gifts that symbolized his identity and | | | | yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of |
| mission. | | | | works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians |
| | | | 2:8-9). |
| In the ancient East, a person of lower | | | | |
| position always brought a gift when | | | | Question to consider: Have you received God's |
| approaching a superior. Gold has long been | | | | greatest gift? |