A Southern Christmas Worth Celebrating

Here in the South, Christmas doesn’t wait for snow. It shows up in warm church pews and in the voices of a congregation singing “Go Tell It on the Mountain” like the good news just broke this morning.

It’s the awe of knowing that over two thousand years ago, in a small town called Bethlehem, the Savior of the world was born.

“The angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you, news that will make everyone happy. Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is Christ, the Lord.’” (Luke 2:10-11 ERV)

That night wasn’t staged with snowflakes and perfect lighting. It was raw, humble, and holy. A stable. A manger. A young mother cradling the Son of God, and shepherds leaving their flocks in the middle of the night because heaven had broken through the darkness.

A woman in a cable knit off white sweater with a beanie pom pom hat to match, smelling a Tree in a Christmas tree lot

“Then a huge army of angels from heaven joined the first angel, and they were all praising God, saying: ‘Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him.’” (Luke 2:13-14 ERV)

And if you really want to see the heart of Christmas, you look at who Jesus came for — the ones the world often overlooks. In one of His parables, Jesus describes a banquet where the master sends his servant with this order:

“Go as fast as you can to every street and alley in town. Bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” (Luke 14:21 ERV)

That’s the Gospel — an open invitation to the ones the world says don’t belong. And Christmas is a celebration that He came for us all. Every background, every story, every broken piece we carry.

It reminds me of my favorite Christmas story, Max Lucado’s The Crippled Lamb. It’s about a little lamb named Joshua who walks with a limp. Because of his limp, Joshua can’t run and play like the other sheep, and he often feels left out and forgotten. One winter, the flock travels to a new pasture, but Joshua is left behind because he can’t keep up.

At first, Joshua is heartbroken until he realizes God had a plan all along. That very night, he is in the stable when Mary and Joseph arrive. Joshua is there when baby Jesus is born, and he gets to snuggle close to the manger, keeping the newborn Savior warm with his wool. The other animals are far away, but Joshua is exactly where God wanted him, right next to Jesus on the night the world changed.

That’s the heart of Christmas: God using the overlooked, the broken, and the left-behind to accomplish something beautiful. Joshua’s limp wasn’t a punishment. It was his purpose.

A lamb sitting alone in a pasture

And when we think back to that night in Bethlehem, our hearts can’t help but bend low in gratitude because the greatest gift wasn’t wrapped in paper or tucked beneath a tree. It was a Savior, born in a manger, who would one day stretch His arms wide on a cross for you and me.

So maybe we don’t have snow angels or sleigh rides. But we have the manger. We have the cross. We have the invitation that still stands for anyone willing to accept it.

Christmas isn’t just about lights, trees, or even the manger scene we set on the mantle. It’s about the Savior who came down as a baby, lived a perfect life, gave His life on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we could be free. That’s not just a story, it’s the greatest gift we’ll ever be offered.

And here’s the thing: Jesus’s invitation is still open. He says, “Come to me, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) You don’t need to fix yourself first. You don’t need a perfect bow on your life. Just come as you are, mess and all.

If you’ve never invited Him in, or you’re ready for a fresh start, here’s a simple prayer you can pray right where you are:

Jesus, I believe You love me. I know I’ve made mistakes, and I need Your forgiveness. Please come into my heart, be my Savior, and help me live for You. Thank you for giving me new life. Amen.”

And listen, if you prayed that prayer, don’t keep it to yourself. Tell a pastor, a friend, or someone you trust. Faith isn’t meant to be walked out alone. We all need our people.

This Christmas, don’t just unwrap presents under the tree. Unwrap the only gift that lasts forever: Jesus in your heart.