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