The Treasure of Christmas

As Christmas draws near, there is a certain magic that settles into the air.

Even now, as I sit and write this, my Christmas tree is glowing softly in the corner of the room. The lights reflect off ornaments collected over the years, each one carrying special memories. Nearby, two manger scenes rest quietly among the decorations. They are simple, familiar, and easy to overlook, but they hold the entire reason for this season.

This is what Christmas is truly about.

The birth of our dear Lord Jesus Christ.

It is about the moment heaven touched earth. About a Savior born not in royalty or comfort, but in humility. About God choosing nearness, choosing love, choosing us. Christmas reminds us that hope entered the world wrapped in swaddling cloths, laid in a manger, and given freely to all.

This season invites us to slow down, to gather with those we love, to share meals, laughter, and stories, to remember traditions passed down, and to reflect on the greatest gift ever given. It is a time of warmth and wonder, of faith and gratitude, of holding close what truly matters.

And yet, as I reflect on all of this, my heart also drifts across the ocean to Japan.

There, Christmas looks very different.

For most, it is celebrated as a cultural or secular holiday, often romantic, often commercial, but rarely connected to the sacred story behind it. Many admire the lights and enjoy the festivities without ever hearing about the baby in the manger, the Savior who came to bring peace on earth and goodwill to all. The story we know so well, the one represented so beautifully in our homes and hearts, is still largely unfamiliar.

That contrast has made me treasure this season even more.

As I look at the manger scenes before me, I am reminded that what feels familiar to us is still a mystery to many. What we celebrate with joy and reverence is, for others, an untold story. And it deepens my gratitude for the truth we hold and the Savior we know.

The angels’ words in Luke 2:10–11 capture the heart of it all:

“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord.”

Christmas is good news. It is great joy. It is the reminder that God came close.

This season, my prayer is that we would not rush past the beauty of it, that we would pause, look at the manger, feel the warmth of the lights, cherish the people around us, and remember the miracle we are celebrating.

Because Christmas is not just a date on the calendar.
It is a Savior born.
It is hope given.
It is love made flesh.

And that is the true treasure of this season. 🎄✨