Keeping the Christ in Christmas
by Steve Ridgell on Nov.26, 2007, under Hope
The Christmas season is here and I already hear some of the Christian community beginning the annual discussions. Who took the Christ out of Christmas? Or, “Jesus: the reason for the season”. So maybe it is time for a few reflections about this time of year. I do not think that most people view Christmas as a religious holiday. After all, most people are not really Christian. I know that most of the world sing the religious songs (Silent Night, Away in a Manger, O Holy Night), and many people go to church the Sunday before Christmas (second in attendance only to Easter). We even see lots of manger scenes and hear talk about baby Jesus and his birthday.
I am afraid that it becomes very easy and convenient to focus on the Christ in Christmas and then live like every one else the rest of the year. Christianity is not the celebration of a season, but a commitment to a lifestyle. We are about peace on earth, giving and family every day of the year. Maybe Christians are the ones that do not need to celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. Jesus is the reason for December 25, and July 12, and March 5, and September 22, and every day of my life as a Christian. Celebrating a birthday does not make a family. The other 364 days together make a family.
The real good news for our world is not that we should celebrate this special time of thinking about Jesus, but to hear that Christmas is just one of a lifetime of days to celebrate. And if the world is thinking about Jesus during this time, then we have even more opportunities to testify to the real good news.
So will I think about Jesus this Christmas? Yes I will; just like I will think about him and celebrate his life, death, and resurrection every day till he comes back to take me home. If you want to make Christmas a religious holiday, be sure it is not the only time you celebrate Jesus.
So what do you think? Does the celebrating of Christmas as a religious holiday help you want to know more about Jesus?
steve
2 comments for this entry:
Leave a Reply
Recent Posts
- “And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”” (Nehemiah 6:3)
- The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)
- “Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!”” (2 Kings 5:13)
- Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. (Joel 2:13)
- Let There Be Light!
- “Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” (1 Samuel 3:9)
- I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. (Romans 16:1)
- “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
- Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes an dshowers righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12
- “And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’” (Acts 13:22)
Copyright © 2009 - Hope for Life : All Rights Reserved
Steve, i cant agree with you any less. it saddens my heart the turn Christmas has taken off late. many of us have taken the Christ out of Christmas and replaced it with an ‘X’ The meaning of the x we don’t know. personally i see Christmas as a day to celebrate the love that came down on that morn, the beginning of my salvation plan. thus creating in me a stronger desire to know my lord and also love him, not only that but to share his love with others
I agree with you Steve, if we reflect on the birth of Christ and what it means to us as a Christian it seems pitifull that we only celebrate his birth once a year. We should celebrate daily and live daily being a testament to the reason for the season. I love the Christmas season and celebrate with Christmas plays and song and live nativity scenes; but yesterday when the presents were open and the dinner was served and thanks was given…I wondered how can that be enough in comparison to what he did for me. A week or two out of the year of recognizing and showing thanks for my Salvation…. hmmmm I think I shall do better!