"She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21).

Christmas is a time of giving, and it should be, for it was at the first Christmas a Son was given. Notice the angel's word to Joseph regarding Mary, "She will bear a son." Yes, she would have a baby boy, and so a son, but Jesus is God's Son. Mary would be the vehicle through whom God would give His Son to humanity.

And Jesus was given to us for the saving of our sins. We were too blinded, depraved, to know we needed such salvation. Sin had corrupted us for eternity.

Jesus, though, came to provide the only way to have sin replaced with righteousness. Sins were bearing down upon us, trying to kill us forever, but Jesus vanquished our foe and set us free. He saved us.

So this Christmas, as we give and celebrate and laugh and rejoice, let us remember the first gift. God's Son was given so we might have life. We can celebrate and laugh and rejoice because of all He has done for us, His people. Forgiven and redeemed, we have been saved by Jesus from our sins.

Merry Christmas, everyone.