Not long ago, I was sitting with a group of people talking about Christmas. Most of them were in their late 50s. They weren’t Christians, but like many people, they celebrated Christmas every year. During the conversation, someone said something that was a bit surprising to me. They shared that growing up, they thought Christmas was all about Santa Claus. They honestly didn’t know it had anything to do with Jesus.
Think about that for a moment. For years, they celebrated a season without really knowing why. They enjoyed the festivities, the traditions, and the excitement—but they missed the heart of it. To them, Christmas was about Santa, not Jesus.
As surprising as that sounds, it made me realize something else: even as Christians, we can miss the point of Christmas.
We get busy. There are gifts to buy, meals to plan, decorations to put up, and family gatherings to attend. None of those things are bad—in fact, they can be beautiful. But when we’re honest, it’s easy for all the activity to crowd out reflection.
Christmas isn’t just a holiday on the calendar. It’s a moment to remember why Jesus came. And sometimes, we need to pause and realign our priorities.
At the end of the day, Christmas is about Jesus. Always has been. Everything we do during this season should point back to Him.
When we make room to understand what Christmas is really about, it changes how we celebrate. We begin to seek His heart, learn His ways, and think about what He came to accomplish. And that naturally leads us to gratitude and praise.
Jesus came so we “wouldn’t miss out on destiny.
The angel said it clearly when speaking to Joseph:
“You shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
That’s the heart of Christmas right there.
Jesus didn’t come just to give us a story or a tradition. He came as a Savior. He came to rescue us. He came to deliver us from sin.
The Bible uses the Greek word “sozo” for save. It means to rescue, to heal, to restore, to make whole. It also means to deliver from the penalties of judgment. It also connotes to save from the evils that obstruct the reception of Messianic deliverance. It’s about freedom and wholeness in every part of our lives.
When we make room to understand what Christmas is really about, it changes how we celebrate.
That’s why His mission should stay front and center in our Christmas celebrations.
Just like the children of Israel celebrated their deliverance from Egypt, we should celebrate our deliverance from sin and spiritual bondage.
The truth is, many people celebrate Christmas while still living in chains—bound by sin, fear, and brokenness. Jesus came so that wouldn’t be our story. He came so we could live free and serve God without fear every day of our lives.
The Greek word for sin, “hamartia,” means “to miss the mark.” It’s the idea of falling short, wandering off the path of righteousness and honor, or missing out on what God intended for you.to not walk in the path of destiny, or to not measure up.
Jesus came so we “wouldn’t miss out on our destiny.” He came so we could share in His life, walk in our God-given purpose, and enjoy everything that comes with knowing Him. He came to save us from missing out on what God has prepared for us. He wants us to partake in His divine nature and enjoy everything that comes with life in Him. He invites us to share in His life and experience Him fully. What an incredible God! That’s the gift of Christmas.
Even as Christians, we can miss the point of Christmas.
So as you celebrate this Christmas, let’s be intentional. Let’s put Jesus back at the center—not just in words, but in our hearts.
Let’s reflect on why He came. Let’s rejoice in what He has done. And let’s take our place in Him.
My prayer is that this Christmas is truly merry for you—one rooted in the joy of what Christ has done for us. May this season be the beginning of deeper purpose, freedom, and fulfillment in Jesus’ name.
