Can anyone tell me what Christmas is all about?

Isaiah 9:6

"For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

This evening, Christmas Eve, I went to church with my family. Early this morning, my brother and his wife arrived at our parent's house. It is so good to have family all around! We went to church at 4pm. There was a lovely service. The message delivered by Steve Clifford was strong and thought-provoking. He asked, "is this story true?" He was challenging those to commit to their belief of Jesus. Is this story and the reason we celebrate true or is it all a hoax? I know I believe. He also challenged us to think about why God chose for Jesus to come this way. God did it for a purpose. I think the way God chose to bring His Son into the world is beautiful. And cause for big celebration.

Jesus is the reason we celebrate.

I think every year, as I get older, I realize more and more what Christmas is all about.  

After church, we came home and had a yummy dinner of potato, bacon, cheese, and corn soup. Yum! We then watched The Nativity Story. Typically, I don't care for "Jesus" movies. They tend to bore me. But, The Nativity Story captivated me and I saw the birth of Jesus, my Savior, and the Savior of the World in a new way.

 

If you are looking for a great movie, this one is definitely a good pick. I love seeing movies or reading books that challenge me to think or see things in a new way. 

Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
  “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Merry Christmas! And Happy Birthday Jesus!