Put Christ Back In Christmas

It is nearly Christmas, fa la la la la, la la la la. I observe frenzied searches for the latest electronic games, the best deal on a new car, cashmere sweaters, bottles of wine, vacation bargains, toys, grocery items, ad nauseum. But I do not observe the same urgency of search to find “He” who is the reason for this glorious season.

Children who cannot read or comprehend at grade level can tell you what they want for Christmas as if the only reason for the holiday is to fulfill their demand list. And silly parents are only to happy to indulge them.

“Joy to the World” is heard on the radios of those who are on their way to those churches where bitterness and resentment is preached.

[adsanity id=8405 align=alignleft /]The point is that the very reason for Christmas is the Person who was born on that day. But today a lost and sinful nation on the brink of moral and economic collapse preaches the theology of buy, spend, eat, drink, and be fooled into believing that those things provide meaning and fulfillment in your life.

If there is no God then there can be no Christ; so references to God are systematically eliminated throughout the year, thus by the time the season that we recognize as “His” birth arrives, it is not the birth of Christ we celebrate but rather it is early “black Friday” and “prices reduced.”

America stands more firmly posed for collapse than at anytime in history and at the very time we should be seeking Christ, people are being urged to search for the bargains online.

Those of us who are radical enough to believe Christ is not just the reason for the season but that He is the only reason for this season are looked upon as zealots and/or crazed right-wing loons.

David C. McCasland wrote: “Jesus was born into our world and gave His life so that we can be forgiven and transformed through Him. This is the heart of Christmas.” (The Heart of Christmas; Our Daily Bread; 12/19/14)

The true “Reason” for this season unveiled the gift of eternal life with His Father in glory. The advertising age offers items that have durability that is as limited as their warranty.

Believe it or not, and people are certainly permitted to not believe it, this could be the last opportunity to celebrate the “True” reason for this season. It could be the last opportunity to confess, believe, and accept Him we sing “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.”

I know there are those who will say, I’m just a Christian engaging in fear-mongering. These are the very same people who fasten their seatbelts; the same people who have smoke detectors even though they’ve never had a fire. The same people who carry a can of fix-a-flat in the trunk even though they have a road service plan.

The bottom line is that responsible people prepare for unexpected eventualities. They have life insurance, they have wills, they even make plans for their funeral and what’s more, this preparation is looked up by their peers and families as commendable.

But how many view accepting Christ for the forgiveness of their sins as being the most important form of life insurance? How many people are truly concerned about their relationship with “He” who is the real reason for this season?

I love Christmas and the time spent with friends and family. But, therein lies the difference for me since becoming a Christian. Today I love Christmas whereas before I enjoyed it. Loving Christmas, is to be in love with “He” who is the reason we celebrate it.

Ask yourself; Do I look forward to Christmas more for the gifts and good times than I do the family celebration of the Savior who was born that day?

I wish you and yours a blessed and spirit-filled Merry Christmas. I pray that “He” who is the real reason for celebrating this season is the most important part of your holiday celebration.[adsanity id=11817 align=alignnone /]