Of course, the central theme of Christmas is celebrating the birth of the babe in a manger. However, there is a lot more to it than that.

Christ came to earth to give mankind, each and every one of us, the hope and the promise of eternal life ... if ... but only if we each individually make a resolute decision to accept Christ as our Savior and as Lord ... with a heart to earnestly follow Him.

Every year at Christmas-time, we are reminded and challenged, again and again, that a decision awaits us ... to either accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and truly follow Him ... or ... if we fail to do that ... then the choice that we are thereby making is to reject Him ... with eternal consequences.

Sadly, far too many people merely give lip-service to believing in God without seriously considering what it means to earnestly and sincerely believe in Him ... and believe Him (believe His Word) ... and follow Him.

This past year has been, in many ways, the very best time of our lives. And it has also been a year of some new challenges that make us realize how very short and how quickly slipping away our time on planet earth really is.

Heaven awaits ... and much sooner than most of us have been willing to acknowledge ... unless and until some change in our often too-easy life wakes us up and makes us realize that we do have an eventual termination point and ultimate destiny to face.

Therefore, for those who are willing to face up to reality, the challenge is to invest some time to very carefully consider, why God put you here on planet earth. For what ultimate mission and purpose did He put you here?

Have you ever asked Him? Have you seriously prayed and asked God to show you what He wants you to do with the remaining days and years of your life?

Are you actively pursuing that unique, very personal, ultimate mission and purpose for which God created you?

If you have not already discovered and begun to actively pursue your ultimate mission and purpose in life, please consider investing a few moments every day asking God to show you what He wants you to do with the rest of your life ... and then listen or read a portion of His Word every day.

Here are three website links where you can find encouragement to more easily read and understand the Most Essential Truths in the Word of God: