When the United States appointed General Peter Pace as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he accepted his position on national television and told a story. He said, “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for a fellow marine during the Vietnam War.”

Peter Pace continued: “I remember one day when we were in a foxhole. One of my men walked in front of me. At that moment, a bullet hit him and he died right in front of me.”

Pace added, “That bullet was coming straight here,” and he pointed at his head. Even though Peter Pace is a tough military man, he had tears in his eyes as he said, “He died in my place.”

You don’t have to have fought in the military to know that feeling. If you confess Jesus as your Savior, you know what it is to have someone die in your place - because that’s exactly what Jesus did on the cross 2000 years ago! Isaiah in the Bible says, “He was pierced for our transgressions.” Jesus took the bullet that we deserved. Through His death, He gave us forgiveness and eternal life!

Share this Good News with someone today. Make it easy for them to understand. Tell someone simply: “Jesus took YOUR bullet so that you can enjoy life forever with Him beginning today and then lead them to the feet of Jesus!”

Did you know that when Christ says “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life” he’s actually talking about today? Yes, it was true 2,000 years ago. Jesus was walking on earth in a human body. But Jesus Christ is just as alive today, friends. We must never forget that! Yes, he died on the cross to forgive us all our sins. But, He rose from the dead. Death couldn’t hold him.

This Christmas, talk about a Christmas of light. Tell your family and friends about Jesus. A Christmas of light is a Christmas lived in the presence of Jesus Christ, who said “I am the light of the world.”

As you go through your holiday routine, tell people about what Jesus has done in your life. When you’re shopping for Christmas presents, let the cashier know that Jesus loves them. When you’re making Christmas dinner, tell your family what Jesus has done in your life.

Read Luke 2 with your children. Teach them the meaning of Christmas. Don’t let this Christmas come and go without focusing on Jesus Christ. During the Christmas season people may be more open to learn about Jesus. Right now is a great opportunity to tell other people what Jesus means to you.

Light symbolizes Christmas. We hang Christmas stars and we have trees that are lit up. It’s a good symbol because there was light when the angels came and said, “I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Light speaks of life. Light speaks of God. Light speaks of freedom. Light speaks of a clear conscience. And light speaks of forgiveness of sins. The Bible says that “God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.”

God is light. If you know Him today, then you never need to be in darkness. If you do not know Him, will you surrender to Him today? He wants to come into your life. He wants to forgive you. He wants to call you His child. This Christmas will you give your heart to Jesus Christ? Will you do it today? Right now?

Pray with me, “Lord Jesus Christ. I surrender my life to you. I believe in my heart you are the son of God. I know you died on the cross to get rid of all my sins. I believe you’re alive. So I open my heart to you. With your power, I will serve you and follow you. I am yours forever because Christ lives in me. Amen.”

Sometimes our world tries to cover up the real reason we celebrate Christmas. We get too concerned about being politically correct and we say things like, “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” We’re worried we’ll offend somebody or even get sued. But, we really can’t take the “Christ” out of “Christmas.” He’s the only reason we can celebrate anything in the first place. Hope is found only in Him.

Whether we’re from a Catholic or Protestant background or perhaps Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu, in our heart of hearts we know that we all need hope. Real hope, a living expectation, comes when we know that Jesus Christ is truly alive because He rose from the dead. Death couldn’t hold Him because he is God the Son. He is Almighty. The key to finding hope is confessing to God that we are sinners and we need Him to forgive and purify us. And the great thing is: He’ll never turn us down.

Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The virgin birth of Jesus set the stage for God’s rescue plan.

Pray for your friends of various religious persuasions and ask the Lord for boldness to actually, yet carefully, share the hope of Jesus Christ with them. He is, after all, the only way they can truly have a merry Christmas.