Last night my handsome, dimpled chin and cheeks husband took me out on a surprise date. All I knew was that I was to be ready to leave my home at four o’clock on Wednesday.
We left our small town and headed to St. Petersburg, Florida. We couldn’t decide on just one or two dinner plates on the menu, so we sample a variety of scrumptious appetizers while dining at 400 Beach Seafood. We strolled the sidewalk gazing at the Christmas lights in the park beside the waters of Tampa Bay before heading to our final destination. We ended up at The Mahaffey Theater where we were serenaded by The Celtic Woman performing Christmas songs. What a beautiful surprise! (Way to go, Tim!)

During our evening, one of our conversations was about our traditional Christmas movies. One of our all-time favorites is It’s a Wonderful Life with James Stewart and Donna Reed. While we were awaiting the concert to begin, I mentioned that I’m sure I’m not the first to think about this, but like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, what if Jesus were never born?
Well we wouldn’t have:

• Christmas lights for us to stroll by
• The Celtic Woman singing us Christmas songs
• Two weeks off from school during this season
• A worldwide of traditions to partake in
• Black Friday to boost Christmas sales
• An overabundance of gift-giving
• Christmas Eve candlelight services

Oh, how this list could go on with trivial and imperative thoughts. But…the deal is (an I’m not bible scholar nor theologian by any means, so please correct me if I’m off base) the New Testament would have a different story to tell. The promises of God in the Old Testament would be a lie, and God does NOT lie. If Jesus wasn’t born, we wouldn’t have a hope of The Promise Land in Heaven for eternal life. We would live in a hopeless, dark, and sinful world.
1 Corinthians 15:17-20 tells us, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.  If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.  But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Dear friend, Christ had to be born for His resurrection to occur. We would have no reason for faith, and we would be wallowing in our sins.
But the absolute truth is…Jesus was born!
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21
Joseph was foretold all this all in a dream, but in the end….It wasn’t a dream! Jesus was born!
HE IS THE REASON FOR THIS SEASON!!!
So we can all enjoy all the dinners, parties, gatherings, shopping, concerts, lights, and gifts, all because of the real reason for the Christmas season, the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. (Can I get an “Amen”?!)
I pray many blessings and much JOY for you! Have a wonderful day. – Stephanie