More Than a Manger...The Heart of Christmas

One of my favorite Christmas ornaments is a large, rugged nail suspended from a red ribbon. Each year, it hangs at the heart of our tree, right next to a heart ornament. It’s not flashy, and you might not even notice it among the lights and decorations, but we know it’s there—right at the heart of our Christmas celebrations. It serves as a quiet, powerful reminder of why He came.

At first glance, a nail might seem out of place among twinkling lights, shining bulbs, and festive decorations. But for our family, it’s a powerful reminder that the story of Christmas doesn’t stop at the manger. The baby born in Bethlehem came with a purpose. Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to be the Savior of the world, and that meant the cross was always part of the plan.

The red ribbon represents His sacrifice—the blood He shed to redeem us. As the angel told Joseph in Matthew 1:21:

“She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

The heart ornament hanging nearby reminds us of the depth of God’s love. It was love that brought Him to earth, love that held Him on the cross, and love that conquered sin and death. John 3:16 puts it so beautifully:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

When we gather around the tree each year, the nail and the heart help us remember that Christmas is not just about a birth; it’s about a gift—a gift of salvation. Jesus’ journey began in a humble stable, but it led Him to Calvary, where He bore our sins so we could be forgiven.

Isaiah 53:5 captures the meaning of His sacrifice perfectly:

“But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.”

So, while the world focuses on the glitter and joy of the season (and we do too!), that nail at the center of our tree grounds us in the true reason we celebrate. It reminds us of a Savior who came not just to be born but to die—and rise again—so that we might have life.

His gift to us—the gift of salvation—is free. It’s not something we can earn or achieve; it’s offered because of His great love for us. Jesus came to do what we could never do for ourselves: bridge the gap between us and God. All we have to do is accept it. As Romans 10:9 reminds us:

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

This is the heart of Christmas. God gave His Son so that through Him, we could be forgiven and restored to a right relationship with Him. It’s a gift of grace, freely offered to anyone who will believe. As John 1:12 says:

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

This Christmas, may we all pause to see the cross in the cradle, the sacrifice in the celebration, and the love of God at the very center.

“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” — 2 Corinthians 9:15