I was recently talking about Christmas with an acquaintance. He told me Christmas isn’t his thing; it’s just another excuse for a day off. They occasionally get together for a family function on Christmas, but his dysfunctional family makes it less than fun.
Some of his in-laws have a “religious background” but don’t really practice, and he “is not into all that anyway.”
He and his wife don’t exchange gifts because they have everything they need. He told me that he “hates” shopping this time of year anyway because of the crowds and the hype.
He isn’t alone in feeling that way. Many people don’t enjoy Christmas. I don’t judge them, but my heart does break.
I agree that Christmas isn’t about the family get-togethers, the shopping, the decorations, the Christmas music and movies, or the gifts. Now, any or all of those things can add to the Christmas experience., but Christmas is a celebration of God’s story.
There is plenty wrong with how we portray the Christmas story; for example, Jesus was most likely born in the spring, the angels didn’t sing, we don’t know how many magi there were, and more. Yet, the incarnation of our Lord is front and center, and that’s reason to celebrate.
The Christmas story is filled with miracles and fulfilled prophecies. That should catch our attention and point us to the wonder of it all.
Jesus is the Center. Immanuel, God with us is the reason for the season. He is cause for eternal celebration.
My favorite Christmas texts are not found in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 NIV
Those verses don’t mention Christmas, the virgin birth, angels, shepherds, miracles or prophecies, magi, King Herod, a star, a census, Bethlehem, or many other components of the Christmas narrative we expect.
Yet, they describe what Christ sacrificed to come and redeem us. That redemption started, in a way, with His birth. he came for us.
The Lord gave up all things to step into time. He condescended to be born in the womb of one of His creations so that he could suffer and die for us.
That, my dear friends, is the reason for Christmas. Strip away all the other trappings, even the ones we enjoy, and the reason for the season stands bright.
A baby, born to die for you and me. A lord who humbled Himself to redeem us. God’s great gift of love and mercy. It’s when heaven came down to earth.
May you keep that forefront in your mind this season.
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
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