Christmas is a time of celebration, especially for Christians. The well-known hymn that includes the words in the title above (“Adeste Fideles,” often attributed to John Francis Wade) is sung in churches around the world during the Christmas season. It conjures up images of the gift-bearing wise men who came to worship the baby Jesus when he was born in Bethlehem. The hymn is a call to adore or worship Christ, so fully manifested in Jesus. Christ is the ideal of God, the way of salvation from sin, sickness, and mortality.

Christmas is celebrated in various ways, with parties, shopping for colorful gifts, and festive lights adorning homes and streets. It is also a season for joyful caroling and happy times spent with loved ones, as well as for church services, prayerful meditation, and thanksgiving. In my part of the world, Nigeria, while there is a strong emphasis on the festivities, Christmas Day is considered a holy day, and churches tend to see increased attendance at Christmas services, regardless of the day of the week on which the holiday falls.

Many who don’t attend regularly make the special effort to go to church. Why? Could it be that gathering in fellowship hints at the spiritual unity that shows us all to be children of the one divine Parent, God? Could it also be that something indefinable tugs at our hearts, making us yearn for the truth that Christ Jesus says makes us free and promising comfort and healing to the worried, sorrowing, or sick? The good news is that we can feel more of this freeing, comforting truth—the healing and saving presence of Christ—not only on Christmas Day, but every day, through spiritual worship. The Bible describes what this is, and what it means in practical terms.