The Cost of Christmas

Written by Allan Mitchell for The Life

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”– ISAIAH 53:9

Are you anticipating another joyous Christmas celebration? Many Christ followers celebrate God coming to be with humankind. However, regrettably, for many people Christmas has evolved into a stressful season of unrealistic expectations and financial burden. Is this the consuming collateral cost of a modern Christmas celebration? Have we, as modern-day Christ followers, forgotten that Christmas is only the beginning of Jesus’ mission mandate — the real cost of Christmas?

The prophet Isaiah reminds us of this cost. God’s only begotten Son clothed himself in fragile flesh for one purpose — to reconcile the world to God the Father. Inevitably, Jesus, growing and thriving in humility, freely laid down his own life to re-establish our relationship of intimacy with our Heavenly Father.

Isaiah 53 graphically describes God’s non-negotiable judicial price for our redemption. The Glory of Heaven became our ransom. His costly sacrifice, through the shedding of his blood on Calvary’s cross, purchased our everlasting peace with God. By divine decree, the Bethlehem baby, born in a manger, personified the immeasurable cost of God’s gracious gift.

As you prepare to celebrate the advent of our Savior with your loved ones, remember to contemplate the real cost of Christmas. God loves you so much that he sent his Son to redeem you to himself. God came down to romance his future bride, us, and he willingly signed his betrothal agreement in his own blood. May the miracle, majesty, and mandate of the advent season forever captivate your heart and mind by imparting his perfect peace to your soul.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me of the real reason and eventual cost of Christmas. Help me to not be overwhelmed by unrealistic and unnecessary expectations and financial burdens. Help me focus my heart and mind on you during this advent season. Fill my heart, mind, and soul with your perfect peace. Amen.

Go Deeper — Be honest. What has the holidays become to you? How can you recapture the original meaning of Christmas and then live that out this holiday season?

Read Further — Do You Have the Christmas Spirit?.