“It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation…” 1 Peter 1:3b NLT

As a missionary’s kid, I grew up among the Native Canadian Indians. On Christmas day, we had a small tree with a few handmade decorations and tons of tinsel. My brother and I received one or two handmade presents every year, excluding our traditional Christmas orange and McDonald’s gift certificates in our stockings. Dad always read from Matthew or Luke Christmas morning after breakfast. Mom made fudge and English toffee, and we watched Christmas movies in the afternoon. But that’s not what Christmas is about.

Through the years, as we shared about Jesus Christ on the reservation, I saw people delivered from alcohol, drugs, and demonic strongholds. Although I chose Christ to be my Lord at a young age, I turned to Indian ways as I faced trauma and hardship growing up. It was God’s grace that led me on my journey to freedom and redemption through Jesus Christ.

At Christmas, we celebrate the birth and life of Christ. At Easter, we remember His death and resurrection. Christmas is so much more than a pretty tree, an orange, and English Toffee. It’s more than just a story about wise men, a star, and a baby. Christmas is God’s love extended to you, to me, for the purpose of hope and life with Him.

Thank You, God, for Your promise of redemption through Your Son.

written by Rebecca Siedschlag