“Christmas isn’t a season, it’s a feeling.”- Edna Ferber
Now I know that the expectation of this blog most likely will be one that perceives an outright attack on the America mantra of “Christmas means Big Business,” and many other consumerist ideas of exploiting this Christian holiday as a means of highest profit. Let me begin by stating clearly that I am in no way attacking what Christmas has become in America and worldwide. My intention in this post is to reiterate the true meaning of this season, and to bring Christ to the forefront of all who read the post’s minds (including my own).
Sadly, to many people around the world, Christmas has become a sensation, a feeling, and sadly a solace that many rely on, instead of relying on the One whom Christmas is about. When you hear Christmas mentioned in the average encounter with someone, it typically revolves around travels, gifts, money, or family. Now, again I am in no way condemning presents, travelling, family time, or even money, as none of these things are sins. What I am saying is that Christmas far exceeds anything that a person can gain from a materialistic standpoint, therefore our joyfulness in this season is not confided in those things. Somewhere, throughout the years, we have begun to idolize a man who is the “savior of Christmas,” and totally thrown the Savior of the World to the wayside. It seems so simple to say, “Well, we didn’t forget Jesus. His name is in the Holiday, how could we?” Again, recognizing that “Christ is in Christmas” in no way confirms the fact that you truly recognize Christ as being what Christmas is about. Jesus is not an accessory to Christmas; He is Christmas.
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.”- Luke 2: 8-16
A detail, which continuously distinguishes itself from the others in the Christmas story, is the humble origins with which Jesus proceeds from. The King of Glory, the Savior of all mankind arrives on the earth, which He molded, wrapped in deteriorating cloth, lying in a barn, and the announcement of His arrival was told to Shepherds in a field. This arrival was not exactly one many of us would deem worthy of a King. Yet, this is how we receive our Savior, God Himself in the flesh, arrives as a poor baby in a manger. The simple fact that evades people is this: the humble origins of Christ, the Christmas story, are the beginning of Christ’s ministry, and the Gospel that we now have of His life. Without the miraculous birth, we have no Gospel, and we have no Salvation. Christmas itself, the humble beginning of Christ’s life, is the humble beginning of God shedding his blood and mercy over his creation.
Another outstanding quality of the birth of Christ is that even during His first day on earth, Christ automatically draws believers and followers to Him. The shepherds in the field, immediately following the Angel of the Lord’s message, began their trek to pay homage to the Savior of man. This is a testament to Christ, who He truly is (the Son of God), and ultimately Him fulfilling his purpose on this earth. Christmas is not just about peace on earth, and good will towards men, it is about the One who provides all of those things to men. You cannot have peace on earth, and good will without Christ and his life. Paul, in Romans, declares that “no one is good, not even one.” Luckily for us, there is One who was perfect and good, and He alone can restore His creation to its natural order.
“Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth….
Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.”- Isaiah 53: 4-7; 12
The verses in Isaiah 53 sum up the Christmas story to perfection, without missing a beat. The purpose of Christmas, the meaning behind it is simple, yet often forgotten. Jesus Christ, was born of a virgin with the purpose of living a sinless life, teaching and setting an example for His creation to follow. Ultimately He would be forsaken by creation and God, ridiculed and tortured by man, and finally He would suffer at the hands of Rome and the Jews, be sentenced to death by crucifixion, carry the wrath of God, die on the cross, three days later rise again, and through His resurrection, cleanse all who believe in Him from their iniquities, thus restoring life eternal to all who believe. That is the story of Christmas, and nothing else. Christmas is not about the bells and whistles of modern day life, it’s not about a jolly old man who gives children a decent day, and it certainly is not about consumerism. Christmas is about God being born a man, so that He may ultimately die, following a perfect life, rise from the grave, and give his believers true joy and peace for eternity following a life of belief and faith in Him.
I pray that in this season you do not buy into the lie of modern society that peace and good will is the meaning of Christmas. The meaning of Christmas is Christ and His life, peace and good will are byproducts of true belief in Jesus and his sacrifice. Be like the Wise Men, follow the shining North Star that is Christ, and place Him at the forefront of your thoughts not only this season, but at all times. Trust completely and fully in Him, and know that He surrendered his life in obedience for you. No one is outside the reach of His sacrifice, the only way to not receive it, is to not accept it. He desires a relationship with you, and that is why we celebrate Christmas. Remember that this season.
Merry Christmas and God bless,
Trip Starkey
Merry Christmas to you
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