As December arrives and the world sparkles with decorations, gift lists, and festive gatherings, we’re invited to pause and look deeper. Beyond the bustle and bright lights, Christmas offers us a profound opportunity to reflect: Why would the Creator of the universe choose to enter our world as a humble child, born in a stable? Is Christmas merely a commercial holiday, or is it a faith-filled experience that renews our hope and anchors us in something greater?
This Bible study welcomes you to explore the true meaning of Christmas—not just as a season of celebration, but as a time to rediscover the hope, love, and purpose that God offers to each of us. Let’s journey together, asking honest questions, sharing our beliefs, and seeking the heart of Christmas in Scripture and in our lives.
Let’s take a moment to consider not just what we believe about Christmas, but why we believe it. Our understanding of this season is shaped by numerous influences—family traditions, childhood memories, and the environments in which we grew up. As children, we absorb messages, values, and norms from our parents and caregivers. As we grow, teachers, schools, and our communities continue to shape our beliefs about what is true, what is important, and what is right or wrong.
Think about your own experiences: Did you grow up in a neighborhood filled with Christmas lights and joyful celebrations? Or was your view of Christmas shaped by different circumstances, perhaps marked by hardship or simplicity? These early impressions can profoundly affect how we see the holiday today.
As we move forward in this study, let’s reflect honestly on the sources of our beliefs. Are they reliable? Have they changed over time? What experiences or influences have shaped your view of Christmas? By opening our minds and hearts to these questions, we prepare ourselves to discover the deeper meaning of the season—and to see how God might be inviting us to grow in faith, hope, and love.
According to our Christian beliefs and the teachings of Scripture, Jesus came to earth for several profound reasons:
- To Reveal God’s Love and Character:
Jesus is described as the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15)1NIV New International Version Translations. Through His life, teachings, and actions, He showed humanity what God is truly like—full of love, mercy, and compassion.
(Colossians 1:15) – “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
(John 14:9) – “Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?’”
- To Bring Salvation:
The central message of Christmas is that Jesus came to save us from our sins. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection opened the way for reconciliation between God and humanity.
(Matthew 1:21) – “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
- To Fulfill God’s Promises:
Throughout the Old Testament, God promised a Savior who would redeem His people. Jesus’ coming fulfilled these prophecies, showing that God is faithful to His word.
(Luke 2:10-11) – “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’”
(Matthew 5:17) – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
- To Bring Hope and Light:
In a world often marked by darkness and despair, Jesus came as the “Light of the World” (John 8:12), offering hope, purpose, and a new beginning to all who receive Him.
(John 8:12) – “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
(Isaiah 9:2) – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”
- To Invite Us into a Relationship:
Jesus didn’t just come to start a religion—He came to invite us into a personal relationship with Him, to call us His friends, and to show us how to live in love and truth.
(John 15:15) – “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
(Revelation 3:20) – “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
What are Your Expectations for this Holiday?
What would Jesus expect us to do if we really understood the true meaning of Christmas? Jesus would expect us to respond in ways that reflect the heart of His mission and message. Here are some key expectations Jesus might have for us:
- Receive and Share God’s Love
Jesus came to reveal God’s love. He would expect us to receive that love personally and then extend it to others—especially those who are hurting, lonely, or overlooked.
(John 13:34-35) – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
- Live with Hope and Purpose
Christmas is about hope entering a dark world. Jesus would want us to live as people of hope, trusting God’s promises and sharing encouragement with those around us.
(Matthew 5:14-16) – “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
- Seek Reconciliation and Forgiveness
Jesus came to bring salvation and reconciliation between God and humanity. He calls us to forgive others, seek peace, and be agents of reconciliation in our relationships.
(Matthew 6:14) – “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
- Embrace Humility and Service
Jesus’ birth in a humble stable reminds us to serve others selflessly, just as He did.
(Mark 10:45) – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Pursue a Personal Relationship with Him
Jesus invites us into a close, personal relationship—not just religious activity. He wants us to know Him, trust Him, and walk with Him daily.
(Revelation 3:20) – “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
As we finish this study, I invite you to pause and consider what Christmas truly means for you—not just as a holiday, but as a turning point in your own story. The message of Christmas is deeply personal: it’s about letting the love of Jesus reach into the places of our hearts that need hope, healing, and renewal. When we allow His love to shape us, it changes how we perceive ourselves, how we treat others, and how we navigate the world.
Imagine what it would look like if the spirit of Christmas—hope, humility, grace—became the foundation of your daily life. How might your relationships deepen? How might your actions reflect a new sense of purpose and compassion? This season, let’s open ourselves to being transformed from the inside out, so that the light and love of Christ shine through us in every interaction, every challenge, and every joy.
May this Christmas not just be a memory, but a beginning fresh invitation to live out the hope and love we’ve discovered together.
Contemplations
- How has your understanding of Christmas changed as you’ve grown and experienced different seasons of life?
- Items to Explore: Reflect on a specific memory or tradition from your childhood and consider how it shaped your beliefs about Christmas. How do those early impressions compare to what Christmas means to you now?
- In what ways might you let the hope and love of Christ transform your daily interactions and relationships this season?
- Items to Explore: Think about one relationship or situation in your life where you could bring more compassion, forgiveness, or encouragement. What practical steps could you take to let the spirit of Christmas shine through you?
- 1NIV New International Version Translations