When Jesus met with his disciples before he ascended into heaven, he told them that he was going to give his life so they could be saved. He served them bread and wine and said that these two items would remind them of his body and blood — his body that would be crucified and his blood that would be spilt as a sacrifice for their sins.

Every time they and believers after them would eat and drink them together in what is known as Communion, the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, they would serve as reminders of what he has done for us.

Certain things about Christmas can be reminders as well. John 3:16 tells us, “God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

God chose to send his Son as a baby in a manger, and at Christmas, we celebrate this great event. There are certain things at Christmas that can and should be used as reminders that God’s Son, Jesus, was sent into the world as the Savior of mankind.

When we see a manger scene or hear Christmas carols sung or go to a Christmas Eve candlelight service (by the way if you are local, you are invited to ours at 6 p.m.), we can be reminded of God’s gift to the world.

It can go deeper than this. When we look at a green Christmas tree, it can remind us that Jesus Christ came into the world to give new life. When we see the lights on trees and, it seems, everywhere else, they should remind us of the light of Jesus that came into the world to guide us into all truth. It may be stretching it a little, but even Santa Claus can remind us of the spirit of giving like Jesus Christ, who gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life.

Actually, almost everything about Christmas can be a reminder of the reason for the season if we choose to notice. This Christmas season, we need to take the time to be intentional about seeing the reminders that might be right in front of our faces.