In these days leading up to Christmas, there are many out there suffering greatly with depression. All the hub-bub of the holidays can often add to that. The world is so focused on not offending others, that we might think that our lives have no real value. The confusion we are faced with today has to be disconcerting to all of us. Where do we fit in? Are we important? Do we matter?

If you feel alone – if you’ve lost your job – if you don’t know where your next meal will come from – if you have gone over your credit limit – face a serious illness – suffer from addiction – feel unworthy to feel joy – have suffered the loss of a loved one – you are not alone. The world is full of suffering people. OK, that may not make you feel better, but maybe this will.

No matter where you are in your journey – you have value – you are not alone – you have riches beyond compare – your pain and suffering are only temporary – there is work for you to do – you have the best gift ever this Christmas. This gift comes wrapped in rags. You will find it lying in an animal feeding trough in Bethlehem. It is a gift directly from the Creator of the world. It is a treasure unimaginable – precious beyond belief – given with inconceivable love at no cost to you. The trees we lay below the Christmas tree may give some joy for a little while, but the gift of a Savior lasts forever. He will never leave you. He gives your life purpose and usefulness. He has chosen you to dwell with Him in heaven. He didn’t seem to matter when He came into this world. He was poor. He was nothing special to look at. He spent His time serving others. He never sinned, even though He was tempted. He was laughed at, bullied at times, listened to at other times. He was a teacher, a healer, a miracle worker and yet He was humiliated, tortured and sent to die on a cross – for all of us.

Do we matter? Jesus thinks we do. He took on the sin of the world, so that those who believe His truth would inherit His kingdom. He loved us so much that He died for us.