It doesn’t make much sense to celebrate the coming of Christ into the world without acknowledging the very reason he came.
He came to earth to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. It would be a tragedy to enjoy the presents, food, time with family and friends, and everything else and miss out on the real point of it all.
So if you haven’t already, it makes sense to let Christmas be a time for turning to God.
It is very simple to do so. You just need to recognize that your greatest need in all the world is to know God — forever. Sin has cut us off from that, but we can receive forgiveness simply by looking to Christ.
It takes more than just intellectually knowing that Christ died and rose again. You need to actually trust in his death and resurrection as the payment for your sins and basis of your right standing with God. When you do so, you receive forgiveness and a new life.
Forgiveness is free, but you also need to know that it changes you. It is impossible to turn to Christ and to be content with continuing to live for yourself and for purposes that are at odds with his will. To turn to Christ means taking up your cross and following him. It means ceasing to live your own life and beginning to live for him.
This is the meaning of faith and repentance. It is the way to heaven.
Here is one of the best passages in all of the Bible on how we receive forgiveness of sins and new life in Christ:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
So if you haven’t already, this Christmas — right now — would be a good time to turn to God. He wants you to. Complete forgiveness and new life are available for everyone.