I think it’s at least fairly clear when you read my blog that I’m a Christian. I’ve talked about my faith before, often in some serious detail. But I don’t think I’ve ever shared what Christmas truly means to me, as a Christian.

Obviously, Christians celebrate Christmas as a symbol of Christ’s birth. Whether or not you believe that December 25 is his actual birthday, it’s time we’ve set aside intentionally to celebrate the miracle of that virgin birth.

But for me, Christmas means more than that.

When I think about the great burden and great blessing placed on Mary, I realize the gravity of what she must have been feeling to some degree. It’s no secret that I’m a single mom– in fact, my website’s name gives that away pretty clearly. I know that Mary had Joseph, of course, but that they weren’t yet married and so many made it clear that her pregnancy was NOT okay, encouraging Joseph to leave her, weighs on my heart. You see, Mary didn’t do anything wrong– in fact, she did so much right– but I know what it’s like to have those eyes on you… sinner… disgrace… liar… slut…. Mary knew in her heart that she had done right, and while some believed her, not everyone did. It was a challenge to accept the virgin birth as a miracle. And for me to know what those eyes feel like when I DID commit a sin, I can only imagine what Mary felt like when God chose her, when she DIDN’T commit that sin.

For me, Christmas is a new beginning. We often see New Years’ Day as a chance to start anew, and yes, of course that’s a great new beginning for us. But I also look at Christmas as a birth. Christmas is the start of this… new life. You see, things changed when Jesus was born. God was with us. He walked on this earth with us. As a human. A CHILD. God sent his son, a part of Him, into the world. A vulnerable baby in a stable. And in doing so, He changed the world.

There’s nothing more new than that. A changed world. Countless changed hearts. Christmas, you see, is something very special.

On Christmas, we got an amazing gift from God. It’s unlike any other gift we’ll ever, or have ever, received. When Christ was born, we were given an opportunity for connection, for redemption, for forgiveness. All of Christ’s life, from even before he was born, led up to the cross, led up to that moment when he would die for us, to save us.

And that’s really, really incredible. So this Christmas, when you’re giving gifts to your family, I urge you to think about the great gift that God gave us by sending his Son to earth, a vulnerable baby in a manger. And if you don’t know Christ, I urge you to take that step, to take that leap of faith and get to know him. And as always, I’m here if you ever need to talk or have any questions.