Ryan's Ramblings

Unto You

"Now I finally know the real meaning of Christmas."

I’ll never forget the Christmas Eve my family and I spent with our friend Jaeyoung in Daejeon, South Korea. It was a cold, snowy night—just the way Christmas Eve is supposed to be—and we walked from our apartment to Jaeyoung’s restaurant for dinner. 

The place was tiny, with only three tables, and it was packed when we arrived. Some people were seated and eating, while others waited for takeout. Jaeyoung and his wife were dearly loved in that part of the city for two reasons: their good food and warm friendship. 

We finally got a table, and Jaeyoung and his wife showered us with care and attention—they adored our daughters. The meal was delicious. As the evening wore on, the crowd slowly drifted away. One by one, people left to return home and celebrate Christmas Eve. Eventually, it was just us in the restaurant. We didn’t have anywhere else to go and wanted to be with our Korean friends. 

Jaeyoung pulled a chair up to our table. Though we spoke little Korean, he thankfully knew English well enough for us to converse. With a thoughtful glance around the room, he gestured to the strand of flashing lights in the front window, the picture of Santa taped to the door, and the tattered Christmas tree standing in the corner of his shop. Then, meeting my eyes, he asked, 'What is the real meaning of Christmas?'"

I paused, letting his question sink in. 

Is Christmas all about Santa, the Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty, gifts, toys, trees, decorations, and twinkling lights? These are all part of the season as we know it, bringing joy and color, filling it with fun and festivity. But Christmas is more than that—so much more.

I shared with Jaeyoung about God’s deep love for all people, and how He created the universe and made humanity as His most treasured possession. God desires a relationship with us as His children and in His great love He gave us free will, allowing us to choose to love Him sincerely. But our choices led to sin, which caused a separation between us and the holy God. The Bible tells the story of how God’s love relentlessly pursues us, calling us back to Himself. In the most incredible act of love, God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to save us from our sins. Jesus came, as God in the flesh, to reveal God’s heart and to pay the price for our sins through His death on the cross and His resurrection—offering us the hope of eternal life.

And then my mind went to Linus, standing on a dimly lit stage, answering Charlie Brown’s question, “Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” and I shared Luke 2:8-12 with Jaeyoung:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (KJV)

Then I said, “Jaeyoung, the real meaning of Christmas isn’t about Santa, gifts, trees, and lights. It isn’t even about the three wise men, Mary and Joseph, and a baby born in a manger. Look at what the angel said: ‘…unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior.’ … Unto ‘YOU!’” 

“Jaeyoung, Christmas is about you and me, and God’s love for each one of us.”

John the disciple says it well:

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9, NIV)

That night, in that tiny restaurant, the message broke through. Christmas isn’t just about the nativity scene or traditions. It isn’t even just about God’s miraculous act. Christmas is about us—and God’s love for us. 

I’ll never forget Jaeyoung’s response. After a moment of reflection, his face lit up with understanding. He put his hand on his heart, smiled, and said, 

"Now I finally know the real meaning of Christmas.”