Every year at Mercy, we celebrate Christmas with a party for our residents, complete with gifts generously donated by our supporters. This tradition began shortly after the ministry at Mercy was founded for one simple reason: many young women who come to Mercy have never experienced a Christmas full of joy. For some, a gift with “no strings attached” has never been part of their story.

Instead of love, joy, and laughter, their holidays have often been marked by loneliness, darkness, and despair. Some struggle with abandonment because they have never known what it feels like to be loved and valued by their families. Others come from hostile home environments where Christmas was just another day of pain and turmoil. Even those from supportive families sometimes arrive carrying deep wounds, believing lies from the enemy that have convinced them they are worthless and unlovable.

At Mercy, we want our residents to know the abundant, unconditional love of God. We want them to feel seen, chosen, worthy, and beautiful! The annual Christmas party is one way they experience God’s lavish love while they are here. Through laughter, gifts, and celebration, we create a space where despair is replaced with hope and where every woman can encounter the truth: she is deeply loved by her Heavenly Father.

That’s the “why” behind the “what”.

So, what’s one of your favorite Christmas traditions? Have you ever wondered how and why that tradition started?

Take the tradition of Christmas trees, for example. About five hundred years ago, Christians in Germany brought evergreen trees into their homes for Christmas as a symbol of eternal life. Then, in 1840, Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, set up a Christmas tree in their palace. After that, Christmas trees became very popular in England and America. Their popularity continues. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, 25-30 million real trees are sold in the U.S. each year!

Christmas lights date back to the 16th century when theologian Martin Luther was inspired by stars shining through the trees one wintry night. He attempted to recreate the beautiful scene for his family by bringing an evergreen into their home and placing lighted candles on the branches. Today, we can hardly imagine the holidays without beautiful light displays!

Christmas carols began when St. Francis of Assisi began staging nativity plays, which included songs that told the story of Jesus. The audience sang along. That was in 1233, and the tradition of singing carols continues today in homes, churches, and concert halls. You can also find Christmas carolers on city streets, in hospitals or homes for the elderly, and going door-to-door in neighborhoods.

But the most important Christmas tradition is remembering and celebrating the birth of Jesus.

“The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” 1 John 4:14 (NIV)

This is the reason, the “why” behind our holiday celebrations. God showed His great love for all of us by sending Jesus. And Jesus’ birth changed everything!

Jesus Christ offers us freedom from sin and shame and gives us the authority to draw on His resurrection power for our everyday lives.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”– Luke 4:18-19

  • As you get ready for Christmas, reflect on the words of Jesus, the “why” behind all our celebrations.
    “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”- John 3:16-17 (NIV)
  • “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45(NIV)
  • “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”– Luke 19:10 (NIV)
  • “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”– John 10:10 (NIV)
  • “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”-John 12:46 (NIV)
  • “Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king’” Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’ ”– John 18:37 (NIV)

To learn more about Mercy Multiplied, visit our website at https://mercymultiplied.com/.