It is so easy to get caught up in all the sales and busyness of the Christmas season that we forget Jesus is the reason for the season. 

Then there are others that can’t seem to understand why we make such a fuss about commemorating a little baby being born in Bethlehem. 

They can’t quite grasp the concept of God’s love for mankind. 

An eminent naturalist believed in a “Supreme Being,” but found it impossible to believe that the God who had created the wonders of the universe could be known by man.

One day as he was walking in his garden, he came on an ant hill covered with a swarm of ants that seemed greatly agitated as his shadow fell on them. 

“If only these ants knew how kindly I feel towards them,” he thought, “they would not be disturbed at my presence.”

Following this line of thought, he found himself wondering if a man could ever communicate his thoughts to ants. 

“No,” he decided. “That is impossible. For a human to teach an ant what he is like, and to convey to them his thoughts, he would have to become an ant.” 

Then, like a flash of lightning, he had a revelation: “That’s it exactly!  The God of the universe, infinitely high as He is above us in His being and in His thoughts, had to become a man to teach man to know Him, and to know His thoughts.” 

Author Max Lucado explains it this way, “The God of all creation removed his robe of light and wrapped himself in human skin. The light of the world entered a dark, wet womb. The one angels worshipped was birthed into the cold night and slept on cow’s hay. That’s how much God loves you! 

“Imagine how Mary felt – she probably didn’t know whether to give Him milk or give Him praise. Joseph probably didn’t know whether to call Him Junior or Father… so he named Him Jesus because that’s what the angel had said. Besides, what do you name a God you can cradle in your arms?” 

Many years ago, a wealthy European family decided to have their newborn baby baptized in their enormous mansion. 

Dozens of guests were invited to the elaborate affair, and they all arrived dressed in the latest fashion. 

After depositing their elegant wraps on a bed in an upstairs room, the guests were entertained royally. 

Soon the time came for the main purpose of their gathering: the infants’ baptismal ceremony. 

But where was the child? No one seemed to know.

The child’s governess ran upstairs, only to return with a desperate look on her face. 

Everyone searched frantically for the baby. 

Then, someone recalled having seen the child sleeping on one of the beds. 

The baby was on a bed, all right –  buried underneath a pile of coats, jackets, and furs. 

The very object of that day’s celebration had been forgotten, neglected and nearly smothered! 

Similarly, many people overlook the main point of Christmas: celebrating the birth of Christ. 

So, this Christmas remember the One who came to give hope and peace to all mankind. 

Don’t get so wrapped up in what the world has to sell that you miss what God has to give. 

Rev. Doug Johnson is the senior pastor at Raven Assembly of God in Raven, Virginia.