“For unto us a Child is born, unto to us a Son is given…” (Isaiah 9:6a)

Christmas is supposed to be one of the most joyous, celebrated and anticipated times of the year.

There are trees to decorate, musicals and plays to practice, shopping to do, family get-togethers to attend, carols to sing, goodies to make (and eat), and Christmas movies to watch.

But one of my favorite parts of Christmas is giving gifts!

Notice what I wrote… I love to give gifts.

I love to see my children excited on Christmas morning as they miraculously wake up at 4 a.m. to open their presents.

I love to bring Christmas blessings to family and friends.

I enjoy giving to charities and mission offerings, knowing that the contributions made will go to serve someone in need. 

There’s just one problem I encounter every year with gift giving. No matter how extensive our list may be or how intentional we may try to be as a family in giving to others, there is always the risk that we may forget someone.

That can be very embarrassing if someone blesses you with a gift and you forgot to get him or her something in return, or you’re with family and you completely forgot to get a gift for one of them!

Maybe this time of year leaves you feeling like a forgotten Christmas present.

Maybe you are having a difficult time this Christmas. Perhaps you feel forgotten about by God.

It’s possible as you read this article that this may be the hardest Christmas you’ve ever faced.

You may be grieving over the passing of a loved one earlier this year. It’s possible that your marriage has fallen apart and you feel hurt, betrayed or alone.

You may be struggling financially, even though you work very hard to provide for your family.  You might be ill and your body is tired.

There could be many circumstances that leave you feeling forgotten.

You’re not. God has not forgotten you. He never has, and he never will.

Christmas celebrates the wonderful reality that God remembered us. After nearly 400 years of silence and the daily reminder of how far the nation Israel had fallen due to their sin, God remembered his promise to bring to the world Jesus Christ — the messiah, savior and hope of humanity. God had not forgotten.

Hundreds of years before he came, the prophet Micah said that out of Bethlehem would come the ruler in Israel, whose “goings forth have been from old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). God remembered.

And he will remember you in every season you face. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

He is with you and remembers you when life is overwhelmingly sweet and joyful. He is faithful to comfort and love you when you are facing the coldest and most discouraging times in life. He is with you and remembers you when your world is right side up, but he is also there when your world is turned upside down.

There’s never a moment where God fails to remember one of his children. He remembers you through all of your days — especially during this time of year, when we pause and reflect on what Christmas is all about — God sending his son to not just remember us, but to redeem us from our sin and eternal condemnation.

It’s no wonder his name is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14).

Greg Laurie, one of my favorite preachers, once said, “What we are longing for, deep down inside, is not Christmas, but Christ; not merriment, but the messiah; not goodwill, but God; not presents but his presence in our lives. Anyone or anything short of that will disappoint.”

Don’t ever forget that God has not forgotten you!

Christmas reminds us that we’re never alone. If you have never received the free gift of salvation through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I encourage you to give your heart to him. At the end of this article, there will be a link for you to go to that will help you to know how you can receive the greatest gift ever given.

I am very thankful to have the privilege to write for the Tryon Daily Bulletin every month.

Thank you for taking the time to read. It is my prayer that these words bless you and encourage you during your week. From my family to yours, we wish you a blessed and very Merry Christmas!

Visit evangelismexplosion.org/resources/steps-to-life to learn how you can receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Rev. Peter Mcdonald, Midway Baptist Church