What is Christmas?
Christmas is the Mass (liturgical worship service) of the Christ/Messiah (anointed one). It is the celebration of the birth of the promised Savior whose name Jesus means “the Lord saves.” God fulfilled His covenant promise to come as a man and save us from our sins. While the focus of Christmas is a baby in a manger, it is a celebration of His crucifixion and resurrection, since what we celebrate in the manger is, in the words of the angel, “a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”
What does Christmas mean to our worship?
John 1:1-18 teaches us about the coming of Jesus, the Word of God, who is God Himself. Verse 14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Christmas is the celebration of God becoming man for our salvation. Jesus promises to be present among us wherever and whenever we gather. In our worship we celebrate the Word made flesh who dwelt among us. Celebrating Christmas is celebrating Immanuel, the presence of God with us.
What does the Bible say about the birth of Jesus, the Savior?
His birth is promised in many places in the Old Testament, particularly in Isaiah 7:14 and 9:2-7. The announcement that He is coming is found in Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-25. The meaning of His birth is best discussed in John 1:1-18.
Suggestions
You may want to spend time discussing many of our Christmas decorations and their significance to the birth of Jesus. Wreaths are green and round to remind us of the eternal life we have received from Jesus. Red berries or ribbons are placed on the wreath to remind us that our eternal life comes through the blood of Jesus. There are other such customs whose origin is Christian. You may also want to sing the following hymns from the Lutheran Service Book: 358, 360, 362, 370, 375, 378, 379, 387 or any other favorite carol that proclaims the coming of Jesus as Savior.
Object Lesson
Tell your family the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20. Talk to them about how Joseph and Mary came from Nazareth to Bethlehem, how there was no room for them to stay in an inn, so they wrapped Him in cloth and laid Him in a manger (what they put the feed for animals in). Everyone who saw that human baby also saw God who came to earth to save us from our sins.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, You deigned to dwell among us here on earth as God with us, Emmanuel, to bring this holy birth. Though rich, You willingly became one with our poverty, that we might share Your wealth and name for all eternity. Amen.