Christmas is a time to celebrate with family and friends, eat delicious food, and give and receive presents. It’s also a time to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Here are 5 things to remember this Christmas:

Jesus is the reason for the season.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was born to die for our sins. He is the perfect gift from God, and as Christians, we look forward to celebrating his birth during Christmas. Jesus is the only way to receive eternal life. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Remember and be thankful for this on Christmas Day.

God’s love is unconditional.

The Bible tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This is part of why Christmas is such a special holiday–God sent his only son to die for us. There’s nothing we could ever do to deserve such a gift of love and forgiveness, but we receive it anyway. This is the ultimate example of God’s unconditional love for us–he gives us more than we could even ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Presence (not presents) over Perfection.

The birth of Jesus didn’t come with any conditions on who could celebrate. Jesus came for everyone, no matter what they had done. “For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). God loves us just as we are, though he doesn’t want us to stay that way. Christmas is a time to remember what Jesus did for us. It’s also a time to remember that God loves us enough to give his son so we can have eternal life with him.

We are all sinners saved by grace.

Even though it is such a special holiday, Christmas is also a reminder that we can’t do enough to deserve God’s love. We are all sinners in need of forgiveness and grace. Jesus paid the price for our sins with his life, but we still have to admit our mistakes and ask for forgiveness in order to receive it (1 John 1:9). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Christmas is a time to be grateful for what we have.

It’s easy to become anxious during the Christmas season, especially if you’re concerned about getting gifts for loved ones. The Bible reminds us that God knows what we need better than we do. One of the best ways to celebrate Christmas is by being grateful for everything you have. “This is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-food, drink, and clothes. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:25-27).

Christmas is a time to celebrate God’s love for us. There are so many things to be grateful for, and we can remember all of them by celebrating Christmas in the way that God intended.

This Christmas, thank God for his perfect gift of love, and pray for all those who have not yet received it. Merry Christmas!