The Meaning of Christmas

The whole world loves to hear of the Babe who came to earth, and will often pause to sigh at the wonder of his birth. They marvel at the young Lad who sat in the temple that day, astonishing the great teachers with the words he had to say. They are pleased with Jesus turning water into wine, healing all who came to him, feeding thousands at a time. They see him walk on water, his power the waves to still, his boldness, cleansing the temple, and it gives their hearts a thrill. They hail him as a teacher and claim him as a prophet but ignore the things he taught. Just what is it they all scoff at? It is easy and safe to worship a tiny babe in a manger, but the man hanging on a cross, to the world is but a stranger. Is it birth or death we think of, when at Bethlehem our thoughts lie? The real meaning of Christmas is that Jesus came to die.