At this time of year, we often hear people talking about “the true meaning of Christmas.” I’m glad about that. We need to focus on what and Who matters most.

However, be careful. There are competing definitions of “the true meaning of Christmas.”

For example, I’ve heard it said that the true meaning of Christmas is that it’s a celebration of love. Well, God coming to us in Christ is certainly a loving act. But simply saying it’s “a celebration of love” without explaining the connection with the mission of Jesus is misleading.

I’ve also heard it said that the true meaning of Christmas is that it’s all about family. This person made this statement because they liked the picture of a family in nativity scenes. But again, this is misleading.

We need to be wise and discerning. The event we are celebrating is rooted in the biblical text and what it says about the reason Jesus came. 

Here’s an example. In Matthew 1:20-21 an angel spoke to Joseph, saying: “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

This states very clearly that one of the reasons Jesus came was to “save his people from their sins.” 

This isn’t the only statement like this, of course. He came to give abundant life (John 10:10), to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), as Messiah, Saviour and Lord (Luke 2:11) and to bring peace (Luke 2:14).

The point is this. When we talk about, or simply ponder, the true meaning of Christmas, let’s ground ourselves in what the biblical text actually says. God’s Word is always wiser than whatever people are peddling as second best.

“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Notes:

-CHRISTMAS EVE. If you don’t have a church home, you’re invited to one of our two services at Westminster in Barrie, Canada. Our short “super family-friendly” service is 5:30 – 6:05pm, and our “traditional candlelit service” is from 7:00 – 7:45pm.

-Vacation Alert: After Christmas, this devotional will be on pause (for Christmas holidays) and will return on January 5, 2026.

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.