Below is the text of what you can hear me reading on the video —

Hey, Jimmie Kepler here. I want to tell you a quick story. I grew up a military brat. Christmas mornings found me jumping out of bed, hoping the gifts I wanted were under that tree.

But looking back, there’s something from those days that shines brighter than any present.

Before we opened a single gift, my family always opened God’s Word. Sleepy as we were, we’d read the story of that first Christmas and thank God for the greatest gift of all—Jesus.

These days, Christmas can get real crowded, and it’s easy to forget the season isn’t about what’s under the tree… but the One who came to hang on a cross. Jesus stepped outta heaven and into a manger to bridge the gap between us and God. That’s why the Christmas story is still the greatest ever told.

So this Christmas, friend, don’t just open gifts—open the Word. Why not, let the story pull you back into the wonder of what God has done.

Merry Christmas. May His hope, His joy, and His peace fill your home this season.