Discovering the True Light of Christmas
My first love was Christmas. When I became a young adult, my Christian friends showed me the real meaning of Christmas.
Author: Muhammed, Reborn Miracle Artist
I feel like shouting with joy that 2023 officially marks my second Christmas season. I celebrated Christmas for the first time as a converted Christian in 2022, and I’m so excited to feel the joy of Christmas this year too. But the truth is, Christmas isn’t new for me.
I still remember the little boy who fell in love with Christmas decades ago—a love that came through admiring the shining lights and decorated Christmas trees. The only thing was, I could see Christmas, but not touch it. I could feel the love for Christmas, but I wasn’t allowed to express it. The love of Christmas was my first love.
I believe God purposely chose that place where I was born. Islam posed a huge barrier between me and Christians. But I could hear their Christmas melodies and see the huge Christmas tree that was taller than the religion that divided us. Even in the dark nights, the lights on the tree sparkled through the night sky.
There was something bubbling inside of me—something that called me to participate in the joy of Christmas. Despite the culture that built the wall between my Muslim relatives and Christians, the Christmas light moved me to share it with others. I decided to secretly paint Christmas tree cards and give them to others as a Christmas gift.
The people who surrounded me forced me to hide those paintings and stop making them anymore. Nevertheless, my passion for Christmas continued to intensely swirl inside of my heart.
I got to know the true meaning of Christmas from my dormitory Christian friends when I became a young adult. My friends showed me the meaning of the light of Christmas— and that light was Jesus Christ.
Many years later, after fleeing the country I once called home due to religious persecution for following Jesus, I celebrated my first Christmas with my wonderful brother in Christ. For the first time, I celebrated Christmas without any fear. The desire I kept inside my heart for decades finally came true. The gifts under the tree symbolized the love of Christ for me, for us.
The real meaning of Christmas is sharing the love of Christ. Isaiah 9:6-7 prophecies about who baby Jesus was born to be: “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.”
On my first Christmas, I decorated our first Christmas tree. And one crazy thing that the tree placed in front of my eyes for the entire year was the feeling of hope and joy. I didn’t find any reason to remove the tree. So, I kept my Christmas tree up all year long–and it was decorated and ready to go for this 2023 celebration.
Even though this is my temporary refuge, and I’m not sure where I will live next Christmas, I am thankful to the Lord for giving me this year to freely celebrate the joy of Christ’s birth. I want to encourage you all to let the light of Christmas who entered this earth 2000 years ago shine on others in your life. That light reflects the love of Jesus Christ, born as a gift to save the world and reconcile humanity with God. There is no better way to celebrate Christmas by lifting, loving and serving others like Jesus did during his ministry on earth.
I love the Lord Jesus Christ. And I believe and pray that the deep, eternal love of our Savior personally touches each of you. No one understands us better than Jesus. May God bless you all and have a merry Christmas and happy New Year.