Is Christ the Center of Your Christmas?
What a year it’s been. A pandemic, social unrest, a controversial election, separated from each other and locked down. As this Christmas approaches, perhaps the most extraordinary Christmas most of us have ever encountered, it’s understandable that many folks may be a bit … distracted.
Yet, this year – like every year – a question remains: in the midst of busyness and uncertainty, when many Christians are worshipping on Sunday mornings via their computers or their TVs rather than gathering in person, how do we make sure Christmas stays focused on Christ?
Of course, this isn’t really new. Christians have been debating how Christmas should be celebrated for decades. Some folks believe that to keep the day holy, they must reject all forms of commercialization – no Santa Claus, no Christmas tree, do decorations, no gifts. Then there are others who embrace the “Christmas spirit” so enthusiastically they risk reducing the origin of the holiday to nativity scenes and children’s Christmas pageants.
Most of us are probably somewhere in the middle. We love to decorate the house, sing carols, watch our favorite Christmas movies, all while still observing Advent, joining in charitable activities, attending Church functions, and re-reading the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth.
The truth is Christ isn’t like Santa. He’s not someone we pull out of a storage bin in the garage once a year to dust off and hang on the wall until December 28th or 29th when the tree comes down. Perhaps the real question is not how to keep Christ in Christmas. Rather, maybe it should be how do we keep Christ in our lives year-round?
Jesus was not merely a baby born in a manger to a young mother and carpenter father in a faraway land two thousand years ago whose birth we commemorate every December 25th. He is the Word of God, the author of our salvation, the Savior of all humanity. His birth, his life and ministry, his death and resurrection, and the unimaginable sacrifice he alone made on behalf of all mankind gives us the Good News of the Gospel.
And the price he paid for each of us symbolizes the highest demonstration of love ever expressed: “For God so loved the world,”John 3:16 begins. God’s love was so great for each and every one of us, no matter how flawed and imperfect we are, that He sent His only true son to die in our place for the sins marring our lives.
It’s this example of sacrificial love we celebrate each Christmas. A time to pause, reflect, praise, and worship. But it’s not an exclusive day to do these things! Just as we celebrate the birthdays of loved ones and children, our love for them extends throughout the year.
Christ is part of every day in our lives, not just Christmas. While we can get easily distracted in the trappings of a commercialized season, the reason for the celebration remains unchanged year after year. Keeping our focus on Christ during Christmas doesn’t mean separating him from our daily lives for a special occasion. Instead, it’s a way to remember his daily presence in everything we do.
This year, as different as it may be, take time to show everyone you meet the true meaning and spirit of Christmas love. No matter how we might individually choose to celebrate the holiday, let us never forget that Christ always has been and always will be the heart of Christmas.
Blessings in Christ