Do you find it hard to sleep tonight
Resting by the Christmas lights
Could there be something you forgot

Beyond the bows and mistletoe
The tree with presents wrapped below
There’s more to this than you had ever thought
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year

What is Christmas
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger
What is Christmas without Christ

Remember how the story goes
God’s Gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes
Beneath the star, one great and holy night

The shepherds heard the angels sing
The wise man brought an offering
Peace on earth began in Bethlehem
Have we lost the reason that we celebrate each year

What is Christmas
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger
If the angels never sang
Glory to the newborn King
What is Christmas without Christ

There’d be no Gloria in excelsis deo
Gloria in excelsis deo

What is Christmas
(Joy to the world)
If there never was a Savior wrapped in a manger
(Joy to the world)
What is Christmas without Christ

This is Christmas
It’s all about the Savior wrapped in a manger
(Joy to the world)
This is Christmas because of Jesus Christ

(Gloria)
This is Christmas
(In excelsis deo)
Because of Christ
(In excelsis deo)
Because of Christ

written by Jon Micah Sumrall and Dave Lubben ~ performed by Kutless

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

‘mas,’ …that’s what Christmas is without CHRIST.

In reality, I would say ‘mess,’ really.  Yes, there are gorgeous trees…decorated in colorful ornaments…and gifts, too.  Cookies and treats would still be made,and turkey and trimmings still would be served.  But what would it all mean?  And when all was taken down and put back into boxes, and the food all stored away and life went back to the way it was, how empty it would be.  Of course you would still have the presents and such, but that thrill only lasts for a short while.  We need THE Gift that fulfills forever….

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign unto you: you will find the 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 and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”
Luke 2:11-14

THE Gift.  He came the same way that you and I did.  His precious mom and dad beamed with pride and joy.  I’m sure they held Him and sang to Him and kissed His sweet head.  They didn’t need anything else that night.  And today…we don’t either.  As we decorate our houses and light the tree, we remember the reason for it all—Jesus. He came wrapped in a manger, for you and I.  And He became a man and experienced all that we have.

Let us not forget.  For without Christ, there really wouldn’t be any glory.  There wouldn’t be any joy to the world or angels singing for all to hear.  But because He is the Savior, we will still be filled with Him, even when Christmas is over. Even when we take it all down, we look up to Him Who loves us and will come back for us to live with Him forever.  Isn’t that really the only gift we ever need?

And, thanks to God the Father, there will never be a Christmas without Jesus.  It is all about a Savior, it is all about Him wrapped in a manger, and it always will be!

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Let us pray: Oh Heavenly Father, You are so amazing and awesome and always giving. You love and love and give grace and forgiveness for free.  You have so much patience with us, I am amazed.  Lord, thank You for sending the ultimate Gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes, placed in the manger to save us from certain death.  That is the whole reason we celebrate Christmas. I pray for those who have moved away from You.  May they be reminded this season about the Baby that came to save the world. We can never thank You enough so we pray to live our thanks to You by spreading hope to this hurting world and by blessing because we have been blessed!  We pray all these things in Jesus’ name, amen!