Written by Natasha Möller

As we are counting down the days until Christmas I was reminded recently of how much we have to be thankful for.

A few weeks ago Thanksgiving was celebrated around the world  by different countries as a way to celebrate and practice gratitude. Our son participated in a thanksgiving tree craft at school and wrote the following:

What a powerful reminder to us as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

The birth of Jesus is deeply connected to our identity as children of God and the reasons we have to be thankful for;

1. Jesus’s birth fulfilled the prophesy in Micah 5:2 which said that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. We can be thankful that this was a long planned, well prophesied, and purposeful birth: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you for me one will go out to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.“
2. Jesus’ birth brings salvation from sin to those who believe and was the beginning of the final stage of God’s plan to save us. Matthew 1:21 tells us of the ultimate purpose of the birth at Bethlehem: “She will give birth to a son, and He will be called Jesus because He will save His people from their sins”.
3. Jesus’ birth gives us the opportunity to become children of God. John 1:12-13 tells us that “...to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”. Without the incarnation most of us would find it far, far harder to receive and believe.
4. Jesus’ birth shows us just how much God loves us. In John 3:16 we read of Jesus telling Nicodemus that “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, for who ever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”. The birth at Bethlehem is an essential step in the Father truly giving the Son.

The Jesus prophesied and born at Bethlehem is the same Jesus that died on the cross for us, that suffered for us, and that willingly gave His life for us! How deep is God’s love for us. How unfailing.

Very often over Christmas we focus on the tree, the decorations, the matching Christmas pyjamas we need to wear, cooking a big meal, and who we will celebrate with – sometimes there is even family drama! Through it all let us not forget the real gift of Christmas. From the mouths of babies: let us be reminded to have a spirit of gratitude that we are His children, that we live in a country where we can freely practice our faith without fear of prosecution, that we have somewhere to lay our heads, and that we have a meal to share with loved ones. May we reflect with gratitude and wonder on the majestic birth and sacrifice of Jesus and spread kindness, hope, and joy to all. Let us be the light of Jesus in a world that needs it this Christmas.