I was walking out of church on Easter Sunday when the greeter wished me a “Merry Christmas!” She burst out laughing when she realized her mistake, but in reality it was the perfect reminder. I had just celebrated that Jesus defeated death for me, and I also got to picture the sweet baby whose birth was announced by angels!

The next day I watched a video that shared, “What you hope for shapes what you live for.” That woman’s Christmas wish on Easter came rushing back, and I immediately thought of Jesus. What he hoped for, an eternity of living with his people, absolutely shaped what he was born for—and what he died for. He chose this course of saving action. 

Thanks to his decision, we get the best Christmas gift: a certain hope that shapes how we live. “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14).

Is this the message you were expecting on Christmas? Probably not. But it’s the message we share every day. The God of the universe loved you so much that he was willing to be both a baby in a manger and a man on a cross—and that changes your life and your eternity. 

Merry Christmas! Happy Easter!