It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Or is it? Christmas is supposed to be such a wonderful time for the Christian. We cry, “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan’s tyranny. From depths of Hell Thy people save and give them victory o’er the grave.”
Yet, Christmas can often turn into a very stressful time for many people. While we celebrate Jesus all year long and not only on one particular day, here are some reminders for us as we purposefully celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Don’t let the symbols or commercialism of Christmas overshadow the true message of Jesus. In fact, there are things all around us throughout this season that can remind us of, and even draw us closer to, Him.
For example, Santa Clause, or St. Nick, was actually a God-fearing man who gave gifts to the poor. He was eventually imprisoned because he would not stop sharing the Gospel.
Let the Christmas tree remind us that Jesus died on a tree for our sins. The lights can represent that we are the light of the world and that Jesus came to light up our darkness.
The Grinch actually becomes “born again”: “It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. Christmas I suppose doesn’t come from a store. Christmas, perhaps, is a little bit more.”
Read the book A Christmas Carol as it is filled with messages of the Gospel and sacrifice.
The Little Drummer Boy, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey are some of the sweetest little movies, filled with the Christmas message.
The candy cane can teach a very great lesson: red is for the blood He shed for us, white is for the purity He can perform in us, stripes are for the marks He bore on his back. The shape of the candy cane reminds us of the staff of a shepherd, the first to come see baby Jesus. Turned upside down, the candy cane forms a “J,” for the first letter of the name Jesus.
Be careful of watching commercials with perfectly decorated homes; don’t try to be like Martha Stewart! Make do with what decorations you have: they have professional people who spend hours creating the perfect setting.
They may have the fireplace, but we have the fire.
They may have perfect decorations, but we have eternal dwellings.
They may have the table perfectly set, but we have the food, the Bread of Life, that truly satisfies our hungry soul.
They may have a great present, but we have His presence.
Focus on others at this time. There are so many needs that it is good to remember that Christmas is a time for giving, not just for getting.
Put one wrapped present under the Christmas tree to represent what you are going to give Jesus this year. Jesus wants your heart.
Perhaps the best reminder this month is that the messier your house is, the more it looks like the nativity. Jesus was born in a messy, smelly stable!
When it seems least like Christmas is when it’s most like Christmas. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight! Tidings of comfort and joy. God and sinners reconciled. Joy to the world, the Lord has come!
So rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day to save us all from Satan‘s power when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove, the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old familiar carols play. And mild and sweet their songs repeat of peace on Earth goodwill to men. And in despair I bowed my head, there is no peace on earth I said, for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on Earth goodwill to men. Then rang the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead nor does He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, goodwill to men.
Merry Christmas!
Karen Pulley