What is Christmas? This question has been running through my mind this month. Just what is Christmas all about?
For sure, it is not dressing up our house to look like tinsel town. For sure, it is not lavishing the latest toys on our children. For sure, it is not seeing how many expensive gifts we can accumulate from family or friends. For sure, it is not a happy holiday where we take a mid-year break from school or job. And for sure, it is not “THE REASON FOR THE SEASON,” a popular phrase that many churches and Christian organizations are filling the air and billboards with today.
For sure, Christmas is a time when people are lifted in spirit. There is joy in the air, and folks seem to be more giving to one another. But Christmas is much, much more than this!
Christmas is . . .
→ about a PERSON who was willing to step over the galaxies of heaven, take on flesh, and be the Redeemer of mankind (Jn. 3:16; Phil. 2:5-8).
→ about a PROMISED sign of Messiah’s miraculous conception. The virgin birth confirmed His identity—that Jesus is the Son of God, sent by God the Father (Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:20-23).
Christmas is about a person who was willing to step over the galaxies of heaven, take on flesh, and be the Redeemer of mankind (Jn. 3:16; Phil. 2:5-8).
→ about a PLACE called Bethlehem—a small, insignificant village where Jesus the Messiah would be presented to planet Earth (Mic. 5:2; Mt. 2:5–6).
→ about a PLAN for the nations in which the Messiah would be a light to the world, dispel the darkness of sin, shatter the shackles of Satan’s power, and bring light and life to all who put trust in His work on the cross (Isa. 49:6; Jn. 1:4; 8:12).
→ about a PROCLAMATION to be heralded throughout the world by His ambassadors: that God has sent His Son to reconcile an alienated world to Himself (2 Cor. 5:17-21).
→ about a POTENTATE who will return to Earth to sit upon the throne of His father, David. He shall reign forever, and of His Kingdom, there shall be no end (Lk 1:32-33).
→ about the PREEXISTENCE of the Messiah. The apostle John said,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of Life” (1 Jn. 1:1). The word was is a verb of being, not coming into existence, and shows Jesus the Messiah preexisted (Jn 1:1)—a claim for Messiah’s eternality. He initially created all things (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:16-17).
Christmas is . . .
→ about those who, for the first time this year, will contemplate the true meaning of Christmas. They will see Him, not as a babe in Bethlehem, but a resurrected Redeemer whom they have embraced as their Messiah.
→ about God’s incredible love for mankind, described in John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
→ about the remembrance of God’s gift in sending Jesus Christ as Savior to provide redemption to all that put faith in Jesus.
Emily E. S. Elliott said it well in her hymn, “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne.” The first stanza goes like this:
“Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown, when thou camest to earth for me; but in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room for Thy holy nativity. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, there is room in my heart for Thee. My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus, when Thou comest and callest for me.”
The text for the hymn was based on the haunting phrase taken from Luke 2:7, “but there was no room for them in the inn.” Dear reader, is there room in your heart for Him?
Christmas is . . .
→ about a Person called “Jesus Christ” who has a plan, a place, and a promise for you! There was no room for Jesus to be born in the inn! Is there room for Jesus in your heart? I hope so!
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Comments 1
And for sure, it is not “THE REASON FOR THE SEASON,” a popular phrase that many churches and Christian organizations are filling the air and billboards with today.
In one way, I think we can say that Jesus is the reason for the seasonal celebration Christmas celebration. I think what many mean by this statement is, that it is not about Santa Claus and gifts made by elves. But I would agree that the statement is often used to casually, and maybe by christians who are christians in name only.
I loved your article though. Thank you.
Pastor Ken Davis