It's Christmas Time

Ana was so happy it's Christmas! It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

What’s not to love? Trees, lights, decorations, cards, food, family, holidays, presents!

She was so excited as she could smell the polished red floors and a real pine tree in the corner of the living room, and as she remembered singing carols in the neighborhood every year, especially going to church wearing new clothes, and eating Grandma's amazing Christmas lunch meal.

Ana came from a middle-class family in Sri Lanka and Christmas was one of the only special days she had a piece of chicken and a gift from her parents.

To truly understand Christmas, really for anyone, it takes a little explaining. In her neighborhood, there were a lot of families who didn't have much, and Christmas was the only time to buy a new dress or get a gift.

Many came from Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim backgrounds. And it was time for her family as Christians to spread the good news of Jesus and His birth.

Ana was so excited, but she had so many questions in her mind. She found her mom wrapping Christmas gifts in the living room.

"Mommy, why do we put up lights?" Ana asked, as she noticed her house was all decorated with bright lights.

Mom looked at Ana and answered, "It's because of Jesus, the light of the world, who came into the darkness of this world. Now He calls us the light of the world. We don’t hide that we follow Jesus. We want it to be as obvious as a string of lights on our home."

"Mommy, why do we give gifts?" Asked Ana, looking at the gifts under the Christmas tree.

"Oh, Ana, it's because Jesus’s life was the greatest gift humanity has ever received." Mom answered, smiling.

"Do you know about the birth of Jesus?" She asked Ana.

"Yes, mommy. I learned that Jesus, who is God's son, was born in a manger in Bethlehem, and shepherds and kings came to visit Him."

"Mommy, what should we do with these Christmas cards?" Ana asked again.

"Oh Ana, you have received so many cards this year; we can pray and think of the family and friends who send them to us."

Ana had many more questions.

"Mommy, why do we decorate with wreaths and trees?"

"Oh Ana, its because evergreens remind us of the perseverance of life in Christ Jesus. Those who believe in Jesus live forever like these evergreen trees."

"But Mommy, why do people love Santa instead of Jesus? The TV advertisements and movies are always talking about Santa and elves and reindeer."

"Oh, Ana, it's because people love to think that they would get rewarded for good behavior with what they want, like Santa having a naughty list but we know that what is truly great comes to us without having earned it and its from Jesus."

"Ana, Christmas is not about getting presents. God did not send His Son Jesus so that we’d have an excuse to make a list of the things we want."

"He wants us to give as we have received much. Jesus died for everyone in the world, and when we accept Jesus into our hearts, we have so much joy, peace, and blessings to give others and tell others about Jesus and His love, which He gives to us freely."

"Maybe this year we can consider what we might say or do to someone as a gift and teach others to do the same."

"Let's make Christmas a memorable one, sharing His love with others."

"Ultimately Jesus is the reason for the season," Mom said.

"That's true, Mommy." Ana replied. She was too excited and started to think of how she will tell her friends what the real meaning of Christmas is.