Merry Christmas!

When I was a kid, Christmas morning was exhilarating.

The toys,

the surprises,

the magic of waking up and hoping Santa had come.

I’d spend the morning tearing open gifts and playing with new toys.

That moment—that rush—was Christmas to me.

But now, as an adult, things have changed.

I don’t just love Christmas morning anymore…

I love the entire Christmas season.

Because now I understand what it’s really about.

Christmas is a celebration of Jesus Christ—the true reason for this season.

His birth, His life, and His mission are the greatest gifts we have ever been given.

Christ’s birth represents hope, renewal, healing, forgiveness, and the promise that light will always overcome the darkness.

His coming brought the greatest rescue mission in human history.

He came to lift us, heal us, forgive us, and remind us that every one of us is a child of God.

Because He came…

we can be forgiven,

we can have joy,

we can return to God again.

That is the miracle of Christmas.

Studying Christ’s life teaches us that real giving has nothing to do with price tags.

The best gifts we receive come from the heart.

A few years ago, my wife made me a t-shirt blanket.

She collected old shirts from my childhood and stitched them together into one big quilt.

When I opened it, I cried.

Not because it was fancy or expensive.

But because it was from the heart—hours of her time and thought and care sewn into something just for me.

Christ gave that way.

He gave His time, His attention, His love, His service—and ultimately His life.

And when we give like He gave…

not just presents, but presence…

not just things, but time, listening, love, and service…

we tap into the real spirit of Christmas.

The Christmas season gets busy—shopping, events, deadlines, noise.

But the still, small voice rarely shouts.

I’ve learned that when I intentionally slow down—

read scriptures, pray, spend quality time with family and friends, write down what I’m grateful for—

that’s when I feel the Spirit of Christ and Christmas most clearly.

When I pause long enough to think about Christ’s birth, His teachings, His sacrifice, and His resurrection…

that gratitude brings the joy of Christmas into my heart and into my home.

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." -John 3:17

Christmas is a season to remember that He came…

because He loves us.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

I love Christmas because it nudges all of us to reflect that light—to shine His love, His kindness, His service into the world.

Every small act of goodness is a way to brighten someone else’s life.

#LightTheWorld

During Christmas, people naturally give a little more.

Serve a little more.

Share a little more.

And while we should live this way all year, December is a beautiful reminder to start.

As we bring Christ into our lives and traditions—reading Luke 2, watching videos about His birth, singing hymns, reenacting the Nativity—our homes fill with more meaning.

More love.

More faith.

The warmth we feel with our families and friends mirrors the love Christ showed throughout His life.

For many, the holidays are joyful.

But for others, they can be lonely, stressful, or painful.

One of the reasons I love Christmas is that Christ offers peace the world cannot give—comfort, hope, healing, and reassurance that through Him, all things will eventually be made right.

So I invite us all to think of someone who might need:

• peace
• company
• encouragement
• a friend
• a reminder that they’re seen and loved

Reach out.

Lift them.

Love them.

Because when we serve others with Christ-like love, we are serving Him.

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." -Matthew 25:40

If we want to keep Christ in Christmas,

we must put Christ in our hearts.

As we pray, read scriptures, think about Him, and try to live as He lived, His spirit fills our hearts and our homes—

and that is what makes the Christmas season truly special.

Have you had a moment when you felt the true spirit of Christmas?

Reply and tell me—I’d love to hear your stories.

Merry Christmas, my friends.

May Christ’s light fill your home and your life this season. ❤️

-Zack