What is Christmas to you? What is much less important? These are great questions. Let’s take a look at what Christmas really is.
Is Christmas a Time of Peace and Joy?
Peace seems so elusive now, so rare. Yes this time is set apart from other times, but the word to describe it could be “chaos”. It’s a time of extreme busyness.
Christmas the way it should be celebrated has nothing to do with gifts, Christmas trees, food, parties, festive clothes and decorations. These things are not bad but do they prompt us to remember Jesus’ birth? Christmas was never intended to be what we made it. Maybe we are doing it all wrong and we have the wrong focus. Likely our priorities need to be adjusted.
What is the Most Important Part?
Christmas should be a birthday party for our best friend. It should be focused on Him and on what He desires. It should be a celebration and remembrance of the birth of Jesus.
5 Ways to Celebrate Christmas
- Read stories about Jesus’ birth from different viewpoints of those present, such as Joseph, Mary, shepherds, wise men, and family and friends.
- Listen some to “Christian Christmas” music and not just holiday favorites. Many favorite Christmas songs mention nothing of Jesus.
- Attend church services. Churches generally put lots of effort into providing big music, plays and church services.
- Many non-Christians and schools celebrate Christmas and leave Jesus out. Invite Jesus into your celebrations. Invite Jesus into your life.
- Christmas should be a time of increased prayer and Bible study. Do Bible study on things such as “who is Jesus” and “why did Jesus come to Earth”.
Who is Jesus?
Who is Jesus? Jesus is the Messiah (Savior) who saves us from punishment for our sins. Jesus is the Logos – the expression of God to the world. He is “God with us”. Jesus is our high priest, through whom we can communicate with God the Father.
Why did Jesus Come to Earth?
Jesus came so we can know God through Him. A Jewish high priest came from the people so Jesus came to be one of us. Jesus had to come to be our perfect sacrifice for our sins, on the cross.
Conclusion
I am not suggesting you become more busy by adding new things. Nor am I encouraging you to uninvite family. I am not telling you to return the gifts you bought on Black Friday, nor throw away your grandmother’s recipes. I am suggesting you become much less busy by reprioritizing, deleting some less important activities, and doing more of the “Jesus” things. Invite Jesus to His birthday party.
Heavenly Child
Listen to this favorite song to help you and your family remember the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
