This Christmas, Get to Know Your Savior

by Rick Warren — December 22, 2021
From The Light of Jesus at Christmas

“He came to the world that was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God."

John 1:11-12 (NCV)

Nobody’s perfect. That’s pretty common knowledge! I’ve met thousands of people as I’ve traveled around the world, and I’ve never met anybody who claimed to be sinless.

I don’t measure up to my own standards, much less God’s—and you don’t either. We all have flaws, and we all make fumbles.

That’s why you need to know Jesus, the Savior who came to die for your sins.

Heaven is a perfect place—no sorrow, sadness, or sickness. Heaven is beyond your wildest dreams! Heaven is perfect, but you and I are not. If God let imperfect people into heaven, then it wouldn’t be a perfect place. If God let us into heaven, with all of our imperfections, then heaven would be no better than Earth.

But God had a plan: He came to Earth at Christmastime. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life in your place. Then Jesus died to pay for all of your sins so you don’t have to. You get to go to heaven by just trusting him. What a deal!

“He came to the world that was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11-12 NCV).

When you trust in Jesus as Savior, you get to become a part of God’s family, and that family is going to last forever.

God created everybody. God loves everybody. God has a purpose for everybody. But God is only the Father of those who choose to become a part of his family by meeting the family requirements: Believe in the Son he sent at Christmas. That’s the condition.

God made you, but he also saved you. The reason he came at Christmas was to die for all your sins.

I can’t think of a better reason to give him your focus and devotion.

Talk It Over

  • How does knowing that you are saved by grace and not your works help you relax in your everyday tasks during the busy Christmas season?
  • Why do you think God wants you to choose him? Why doesn’t everyone get to call him Father?
  • What are some practical steps you can take to shift your focus to Jesus this Christmas?

Trust Jesus as Your Savior today

What better time than Christmas to trust Jesus as your Savior? If you’re ready to commit your life to him today, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I believe that you are God, my Savior. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning every part of my life over to you. I want to follow you and do what you tell me to do.

“Jesus, I am grateful for your love and for your sacrifice that makes it possible for me to join you in heaven. I know I don’t deserve it. And I thank you that I don’t have to earn or work for my salvation, because I know that is impossible. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.