When December rolls around, there is a lot of talk about holiday cheer, peace on earth, and the idea that it is the most wonderful time of the year. People try to find joy in the music, decorations, parties, gifts, or family gatherings that accompany the season. While all those things are great, they are not what make Christmas special. If our holiday celebration is missing its key ingredient, it ultimately becomes empty and unsatisfying – like having a chocolate wrapper without the chocolate!
To reflect on this “key ingredient,” I’d like to quote a parable of Jesus that isn’t usually associated with the holiday. Nevertheless, it perfectly captures what Christmas is all about. In Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus tells this story: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” (NIV)
We can view this parable from two perspectives. A less common interpretation perfectly illustrates the message of Christmas. From this perspective, the merchant represents God, and we are the pearl. Let’s look at it more closely.
The merchant went out of his way to find the perfect pearl. God took the initiative to restore a relationship with us. When the man had the pearl in his sights, he sold everything he had to obtain it. In the same way, the birth of Jesus points to the incarnation, when God left the majesty of heaven, set aside the benefits of divinity, and became a man, born to a humble family in Bethlehem. But the story of Jesus doesn’t end with his birth. He ultimately gave everything he had—his very life—for us by dying on the cross.
The merchant bought the pearl. Likewise, Jesus redeemed us by paying the ransom to secure our freedom. He took our punishment upon himself to free us from the bondage and penalty of sin. Thanks to him, we can be forgiven and reconciled to God.
The more traditional view shifts the perspective around, and we are the merchant. The pearl is salvation—the wonderful reconciliation God offers through Christ. The merchant’s actions point to what God desires from us. He wants us to give him what we have of most value: our hearts and our trust.
The story of Christmas is a love story. God gave what was most precious to him, his Son, and he wants what’s most precious from us, ourselves. Isn’t that how love works? When you love someone, you want to be loved in return. And you can never fully experience someone’s love until you love them back. God is no different. He loves us and longs for our love. He delights in a relationship with us and has done everything to make that possible. However, the choice to give him our lives is ours.
God’s love is what makes Christmas special. May you experience His love in abundance, not only at Christmas but every day of the year.