As a pastor, I love talking to children about the true meaning of Christmas. When I ask children what they think of when they think of Christmas, they often respond with Santa, mischievous elves, presents, travel, and time with family. As a parent, I think of family traditions, making memories, spreading cheer, and sometimes, simply surviving the pace of it all. Behind the trappings and trimmings, however, is a larger spiritual reality and truth underpinning it all.

Christmas is a birthday party for Jesus. It gives me such joy to read the story of his birth to children (‘Twas the Evening of Christmas by Glenys Nellist and Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi are favorites!), watch them create nativity scenes, and describe the Christian meaning of the candy cane. Did you know that a candy cane makes a “J” for Jesus and resembles a shepherd’s crook?

In addition to shepherds, there are three kings bearing gifts in every nativity. We celebrate the kings’ visit to the baby Jesus after Christmas and at the beginning of every new year on Epiphany. Therefore, it’s appropriate to consider their gifts as a spiritual exercise of our own in the new year. What are three gifts that you could bring to Jesus, too? Maybe God has been prodding your heart to make a change, bless someone else, or step out for his glory. Write your gifts down and resolve to give them. After all, Christ has been born anew for you!