Realize how much you and I have in common. Regardless of one’s culture, race, age, or land of origin, we all have a need for saving of some kind. In fact, I recall the first Nissan car television ad which went: “Nissan Saves.”

Living close to water we are used to people being saved from the ocean thanks to the Coast Guard helicopters and local fire rescue. Or how about our law enforcement’s job of saving people in trouble? Thank God for the saving of life at our Ocean Beach Hospital.

Everyone on this earth will hit a wall, so to speak, some challenge beyond our control. We all have been there if we are honest with ourselves.

What wall have you come up against? Maybe it’s a health concern. Maybe you are afraid to die. Maybe you are terrified because a loved one in a different part of the country is going through a scary situation. All you or I can do is be good listeners, tell them over how much we love them, and pray. Maybe your vehicle is nickel and dime-ing you and you don’t know what to do. Maybe your credit card debt is robbing your peace of mind. Maybe you are recovering from a divorce, or a bad accident, an addiction or maybe you are a veteran trying to beat PTSD. Going against what terrifies us causes us all to yell out “help.” As the saying goes: “there are no atheists in fox holes.” Whenthe bullets of life zing past our heads, so to speak, we all look for a savior.

Speaking of saving, wasn’t this the motto for Trump, who repeatedly said: “I am your protector.” He knows that people are looking for a savior.

Saving is not just for our heart, mind, and body. Christmas is God’s way of reminding us what we really need saving from. What’s that? We all need saving from what the Bible calls sin. The Bible is clear — we humans are all sinners. We humans tend to think there are just good people and bad people, but that’s not what the Bible says: “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).” That means you, me and everyone else.

Saving is precisely why God came down from heaven to be born of a virgin named Mary. This is the reason for the season named Christmas. God is clear telling Mary: “You shall call His name Jesus for He will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).” Sin is the reason death entered into the world.

Because of Jesus the Savior of the world atoning for our sins, we have forgiveness of sin, and because of His Resurrection from the dead, we who believe in Him as the Son of God have eternal life.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!