Let me ask you a question: If Jesus had been born in a palace, would you feel like He could really understand the struggles and heartaches of ordinary people like you and me? I doubt it.

But Jesus was born in the most humble circumstances imaginable, and all His life He lived like most of the people around Him – only poorer. Think of it: From all eternity His home had been heaven, surrounded by all the glory and power that were rightfully His as God’s only Son. But He willingly left all that behind and came down to share our lives on this earth – and even our temptations.

Because He did this, we know He understands what our lives are like. This is why you can bring every burden you have to Him in prayer, because you know He loves you and understands your needs. The Bible says, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

The real question, however, is this: What place does Jesus Christ have in your life? Have you committed yourself to Him, and are you seeking to follow Him every day? Make this the best Christmas possible by receiving God’s gift of His Son into your life today. The Bible says, “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).