Everyone gets caught up in a fictional, commercial Christmas if we are not purposeful to avoid it. It removes the truest reason for the season. The birth of Jesus is the whole reason why we celebrate Christmas. There is much decorating, gift-giving, delicious holiday baking, card writing, and parties to attend and the list goes on. Not that these traditions are all bad. However, when they take center stage of what is truly important, essentially consuming every minute of the month of December, we are left empty and exhausted. It is time that we put Christ back at the forefront of Christmas this year to put things in the right perspective.
It’s Not About Santa Claus
While I have no qualms celebrating such a beautiful time of year, it leaves an emptiness if we don’t focus on Christ’s birth. It isn’t about Santa, though the character was indeed based on a real person. St. Nicholas actually lived in Asia Minor (in a place thought to be in modern-day Turkey) in the 4th century. He was a Christian Bishop who was persecuted and imprisoned for his faith but continued steadfastly in it. His kindness and generosity to the poor and children were known abroad. You can read more about St. Nicholas in a short biographical article in Brittanica at this link: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Nicholas. Many countries adopted aspects of his life and integrated them into their own culture. Consequently, this combined those elements to create who we know as Santa Claus today. The only problem is that this combined character is completely fictional.
There is no workshop at the North Pole where elves are making toys (parents all over the world know that). No airborne sleigh that can possibly visit every single house in a single night, or reindeer who can fly of their own volition pulling a huge sleigh up in the sky (sorry Rudolph). Those are white lies. Nevertheless, they are lies still the same. Humans are renowned for the weakness of being untruthful. In addition, you can also include stealing, committing adultery, and killing to just name a few. God calls thoughts and actions like this sin. Sin is any wrongdoing. Wrongs have lasting consequences. Sin separates us from God eternally. Jesus Christ was born to make a way to overcome the sinful nature of all mankind and build a bridge back to God. That incredible gift has eternal value like no other.
All Have Sinned And Fallen Short
Every single person has broken at least some of the original Ten Commandments. If you are not sure exactly what the Ten Commandments are, you can read about where God gave them to Moses in the 20th chapter of the book of Exodus in the Bible. Even in our best behaviors we still slip up and sin or hurt others unintentionally. We can never be good enough on our own. The penalty for our sins still needs to be paid.
God can not be bought or bribed as some human judges or in instances like those in authoritative positions sometimes are. He is just and truthful. God is the true keeper of the naughty or nice list but more importantly the Book of Life. Those whose names are in the Book of Life will spend eternity with God. Those whose names are not in the Book of Life will spend eternity in a place of pain and suffering. God, fortunately, devised a plan where Jesus paid the ultimate penalty for our sins. But He gave us the freedom to choose to believe and accept it or not for ourselves.
Salvation only comes through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. There is no other way to get your name in the Book of Life. You might not even know what that means. You may have never heard the gospel Of Christ or why it is important. Maybe you don’t believe or agree. However, it is the most important decision you will ever make. For this reason, I encourage you to hear and study out the true reason for Christmas. It is way more important than sharing a fictional character to deceive and take away the truth of God’s most gracious gift to us all.
By Grace, Through Faith
The Bible clearly states that we have to believe. Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) tells us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Belief is crucial in receiving this incredible gift of salvation. The birth of Jesus secured the possibility of eternal life with God. In John 14:6 (KJV), Jesus Himself said, “… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Lastly, I’d like to share Ephesians 1:7 (KJV) because it shares, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Jesus is the center point, the cornerstone of salvation.
To not give the birth of Christ it’s a rightful place in our Christmas celebration is not only ungrateful for the grace bestowed on us through Christ but extremely prideful and insulting. Most of us allow this to happen through business or ignorance. This Christmas make it a point to set things right! Even 2020 can end in blessing by righting this grievous wrong. In conclusion, let’s review a few ways to bring the truth of Christmas into the light of our hearts and homes. This list is by no means comprehensive to all the ways to possibly achieve putting Christ back into our Christmas. It is a good way to begin.
7 Ways To Put Christ In Your Christmas
- Read chapter 2 in the book of Luke in the Bible. It contains the account of the birth of Jesus Christ and is often read during Christmas.
- Say a prayer of thankfulness for the birth of Christ and the gift of salvation and forgiveness that came through Him.
- Display a nativity scene for a visual reminder of the true reason for the season.
- Discover the symbolism of an Advent Wreath and implement it into your Christmas experience.
- Read about the nativity to children on their level. We have an over-sized coloring book of the birth of Christ. Our family, once they are responsible enough, is allowed only to color in it during the Christmas season. We put it up with the decorations to keep it as a special reminder of the truth of why we celebrate.
- Truly listen to the words of Christmas hymns as they sing of the incredible event that impacted everyone in the whole world both in the past, present and future.
- Go to a Christmas church service or program. Use a mask, but go! It will do your heart and soul good.
All things considered, it is never too late to implement a new tradition, especially one full of the holiday truth, love, peace, and salvation. Slow down long enough to allow the truth to reset and resonate in your hearts and home this year. Take control back of the month of December! Set Jesus Christ in the rightful place in your Christmas celebration this year! You’ll be glad you did! Be blessed!