Celebration

I heard from somewhere this year that we should not make such a big deal out of it if Christmas doesn’t seem to have Christ in it. The argument, so it goes, is that the holiday has been so commercialized, so secularized, so merchandized, that there already is not much about the holiday that makes people really think about Jesus and His part in it. Furthermore, it was also said, the day that was chosen so long ago to use in celebrating the birth of Jesus was picked to coincide with a Roman holiday or the winter solstice, and so has its origins in pagan customs, rather than being a true religious celebration.

When I heard this argument, I had to grudgingly agree that yes, there seems to be precious little about Jesus that really is stressed this time of year. It does seem to be more about the sales bonanza that is hoped for by the retail industry, as people buy gifts for each other, going into further credit card debt, and thus supposedly helping boost the economy.

And it is amazing to me how much this holiday has an emotionally charged effect on people. It can have the effect of creating and resurrecting the joy they had as children, anticipating the day when they could open amazing gifts of toys from parents and grandparents. And it can have the effect of creating

• terror — “How will I ever get my shopping done in time???”
• depression — “I can’t find the right gifts!!”
• guilt — “Have I let my children/parents/friends down this season if I didn’t have the right party/gifts/decorations?”
• stress — “Arrgh! I hate this season because it means I have all this work to do!!”

Yes, Christmas has unfortunately become all of these things, and more. But just because it has mutated into this seemingly unmanageable monster does not mean that I have to succumb to it and simply give in to the craziness. We are encouraged by Paul in 2nd Timothy 4:2 to “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” Paul goes further to point out that people would eventually choose to turn away from the truth, and follow other teachings that make them more comfortable, turning aside to myths (you can insert “Santa Claus” or “Easter Bunny” here).

We don’t have to wring our hands and worry that Christ is not being properly remembered this Christmas. It will be just as uncomfortable on December 25th for those outside of the Church to remember that this holiday is really about Jesus as it is on any other day of the year. It is as important in the Christmas season as it is on April 5th or July 21st or whenever to make sure that people really know what we believe and why.

Tell your friends about why the birth of Jesus is important to you, and when you do it, make sure you do it in love and not to point out what lousy sinners they are. You have this wonderful hope and joy in life, and Christmas it not a holiday to get all worked up about; it is a perfect time to be that light yet another time, and point someone to Jesus.

Randy Stonehill’s classic 1976 album, Welcome To Paradise included the song Christmas Song For All Year ‘Round, which expresses my point neatly and concisely. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, and the birth of Jesus is pointless unless it is an introduction to the Cross.

So, as Randy says, “Merry Christmas”!

I wonder if this Christmas
They’ll begin to understand
The Jesus that they celebrate
Is much more than a man

‘Cause the way the world is
I don’t see How people can deny
The only way to save us
Was for Jesus Christ to die

And I know
That if Saint Nicholas was here
He would agree
That Jesus gave the greatest gift of all
To you and me

They led Him to the slaughter
On a hill called Calvary
And mankind was forgiven
When they nailed Him to the tree

But most of all the children,
They’re the ones I hope will learn
That Jesus is our Savior
And He’s going to return

And Christmas isn’t just a day
And all days aren’t the same
Perhaps they’ll think about the word
And see it spells His name

And I know
That if Saint Nicholas was here
He would agree

That Jesus gave the greatest gift of all
To you and me
They led Him to the slaughter
On a hill called Calvary

And mankind was forgiven
Mankind was forgiven
We were all forgiven
When they nailed Him to the tree

So Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas

I wonder if this Christmas
They’ll begin
To understand

© 1976 King Of Hearts Publishing