Next to Jesus Christ and “love,” Christmas is probably the most popular theme for music. For most Americans, Christmas has been, as the song says, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” But why is this so?
I will tip my hat to the purist who complains that Christmas is commercialized and secularized. This is certainly and disappointingly true, but I would like to suggest that there is still more to the holiday than the commercials; and it is possible to use the season to promote the message that Christmas should communicate to the nation which it desperately needs at a time such as now.
Anyone familiar with the actual history of Christianity knows that the early church did not celebrate Christ’s birth at all, but rather His resurrection, and certainly did not honor December 25th. These were later inventions.
But does their lateness negate their value altogether? Not necessarily, if for no other reason than that even critics acknowledge that the nation and culture soften noticeably during the weeks leading up to the holiday.
So, that is where I will begin: The beautiful ”season” of Christmas that most Americans have come to love with carols, lights, decorations, gift-giving, and cheesy movies. (I will only mention in passing that the Leftist Christmas critics prove that generally, despite their claim of seeking unity and peace, they are dividers and destroyers at heart). One must ask why our modern Christmas season exists in the first place. The answer might inform us regarding the real message behind the holiday, and why the Left loathes it so.
Interestingly, the most well-known Bible text, John 3:16, gives the theological basis of Christianity and thus the “Reason for the Season:” “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.” Giving is the hallmark of love, and most people would say that the primary emphasis of Christmas is giving. It should not be overlooked that times of joy and celebration in the Bible (the Feast of Purim, for example) were often marked by giving gifts to friends and family. And while it is true that creative businesspeople have been quite adept at exploiting the Christmas season for their own purposes, it still has giving at its heart. And many charities which meet the genuine needs of millions of Americans find their coffers significantly replenished during the Christmas season.
Thus, while Christmas celebrations over the last few decades may have distorted the message that should correlate with Christ’s birth, it is difficult to completely eclipse the One whose birth is, at least theoretically, celebrated on December 25th. Christmas has been under assault for many years, directly and indirectly: From businesses forbidding employees to greet customers with “Merry Christmas,” to schools and communities cancelling Christmas programs altogether or replacing them with “Winter Celebrations.”
So it is that America’s public Christmas is a mere adumbration of the real celebration which ought to be, so we will begin with that:
IT IS A TIME OF JOY-and joy is the spirit of the message the angels brought to the shepherds alerting them of Christ’s birth. “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior. . . .”
It is joyful because it is the intervention of God into the tragic circumstances of men. To know that our Creator is actively intervening to bring us aid ought to be thrilling to everyone.
It is joyful because truth is being brought to bear on the problems of men. So many philosophers and “wise men” have made their suggestions, and so many tyrants have promised peace and prosperity, yet have failed because they did not and would not address the real problem, the sinfulness of humanity.
It is joyful because the source of the malaise which our sin created has been countered by the death of Christ on the cross so that all who repent, and trust Christ as Savior are liberated from sin’s guilt and are made children of God! (John 1:12).
IT IS ABOUT GIVING-At the heart of America’s public Christmas and its source, Christ’s coming as a babe to live a perfect life, die a vicarious death, and rise eternally, is the epitome of giving. It has been said that “you can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” The message of the Bible is that of God taking a personal interest in the affairs of men, giving of Himself, and giving what was necessary to deliver those who desire deliverance from their own self-destruction.
IT IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS-If families are not able to gather often, most still find ways to be together around Christmas. And while gifts and toys may be a focal point for children, the memories of family times past draw them together. It is truly a family holiday. And so it is with the original. God sent His Son; and He provides that those who trust Him will be called His children, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God,” (John 1:12 NKJV).
IT IS ABOUT CHRIST-This should go without saying, but with the cancel culture of our day we need to be reminded that the “most wonderful time of the year” is wonderful because it is about Jesus Christ! I cannot imagine celebrating someone’s birthday while excluding the one whose birthday is being celebrated, yet that is what so many Americans are doing without thinking about it; and it is what the anti-Christian mob advocates. But I would suggest that rejecting Jesus Christ has eternal consequences. Those who would irradicate all references to God or Christ from American culture and vernacular do so for the same reason some would do away with police and courts: they wish to live without restraint. Dangerous indeed!
IT IS ABOUT BELIEVING-That is, believing, trusting what God has said in His letter to mankind. There is no other source of wisdom that can compete with the Bible. It has been with us for thousands of years, has transformed untold millions of lives and changed the course of history. Wherever it has intersected with verifiable events it has been found accurate, and those who have trusted it have discovered peace. Its message is simple yet profoundly rich. It answers the questions that haunt our thoughts and explains the trauma that is our story. Our sins have offended the sinless One and separated us from His presence. That separation, without His intervention, is irreparable by any effort of our own, and worse, we have not sought its repair. Thus, in love He bore our guilt and covered the cost with His own death on a Roman cross that a way of reconciliation might be provided. All that is required of us is that we heed His call, believe His Word, and trust His promise to forgive our sin! As He explains it: “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV).
The chaos and cacophony that surrounds us today ought to be all we need to understand that after some six thousand years of history no plan of man has brought relief, and that if we do not find salvation in God, there is none to be found! It is in this knowledge that we find the Christmas Season to be a reason for hope. It reminds us of God’s eternal plan, His gracious patience, and His infinite love. We do not know how much longer the wait will be, but what we hunger for, the personal presence of the Prince of Peace, will be worth the wait!
