Galatians 4:3-5 (King James Version)
3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Whenever you undertake to do a certain thing, do you ever find yourself questioning inside, "Why do I do this?"
Sometimes when we get wrapped up in doing a certain tradition, we lose our senses of awareness. We do certain ritualistic things and do it mindlessly. Sometimes we find ourselves at Christmas doing things like putting up a tree and decorating it, sending cards, singing more than usual, finding ourselves giving to charities more than we do normally. Christmastime find ourselves doing many things, some with great remembrance to the reason, other times not so much.
Ruts are part of our human lives. Sometimes we become like factory workers on an assembly line just constantly doing one thing over and over again until it becomes so repetitive we lose our train of thought. During this season of the year, do you find yourselves doing things that you don't stop and wonder why? Wouldn't it be good to reflect on the reason why do certain things.
Of course for the Christian there is a stock answer, and a correct one although not very deep, that we do what we do because it's Christ-mas. Its for Christ. Again, quite correct, but how? What is it or how is it that Christ is rooted in all that we do. We hear that Jesus is "The Reason for the Season." but just blanket statements doesn't bring understanding, they're no more than what a writer calls, "glittering generalities." So this article may help bring some light to what we do for THE REASON.
Lets deal with some traditions in our Decorating, why certain things?
Putting out Lights. Ever ask yourself, why not put out lights in July or February? People who don't want to have anything to do with the Christ part of Christmas are obsessed with outdoing their neighbors with light displays in their homes, shrubs, yard ornaments etc. What they don't realize is that they are glorifying God because according to John 1, Christ was sent as a Light into the world to repeal darkness. That's what Christmas lights do, they take a dark street and make it glow for all to see.
Then there is the tree. Yes, the pagan symbol or worship the greens as a symbol of life. Oh we just said it. Life. Remember it was God the Son who created evergreens with everything else. God does nothing without purpose and largely without symbolism. The Gospel of John 1 again reminds us that "in Him was LIFE." Life eternal as the woman at the well found out. Life eternal that never ends, like the evergreen that does not die in the coldness of winter. So yes it may be a pagan idea and we should NOT worship any tree or greenery, but we are to worship the Christ who created it and remember that the Greenery points to HIS purpose and mission into the world. If the life of Christ died off in the winter, it would be no Life we would want. I firmly believe that God had His hand in the evergreen because He knew what it symbolized whether the idea came from the pagan or the Christian. He is Lord over all.
What about Food preparation and distribution? Oh the fond memories only food can recollect! There is no one alive on the planet who doesn't appreciate the wonderful aroma of fresh cooked food, be it in the form of cookies, meats, veggies, etc. Food is the source of nourishment for the human body, taste is its beauty in necessity. Jesus ate with His disciples and friends. Matter of fact I think He enjoyed it very much to eat hot baked bread or vegetables of the day. We know that the Last Supper was symbolic of His death, but notice that He told His disciples that He would drink the "fruit of the vine," with them, in Heaven. This was not a dread, but an expectation and anticipation. Jesus had great compassion on the multitudes for their spiritual needs, BUT, He knew they had nothing to eat. He could have sat down and taught, but first He wanted them fed. There are many more examples. Food prep and distribution reminds us of the need the Lord knew we had. We fix special meals and find ourselves giving to charities the stuff to make such meals because its an avenue for the Gospel. Jesus knew that a personal need met means love. Jesus came not for the Spirit only, but for the body. Why else would he care if the multitudes had anything to eat? Why else would He have hot fish baking for weary fisherman? Why else would He change water into wine? Why else would He have His disciple pluck corn on the Sabbath? For His Father's glory yes, His motive for it all, but it was for us, our bodies which He inhabited had needs, so His heart was moved towards them.
How does singing enter into all this Holiday Stuff? The Christian ought to be singing praises to our Lord at all times, as the Psalmist reminds. However at Christmas there is a special genre of music that is for especially this season. Actually I sing and listen to Christmas music all year, how can one neglect the entry of God into the world in song, it signaled the change that changed our whole future! Perhaps we sing more for two reasons...First the music is joyful and beautifully scored, Second it brings fond memories of yore. But there is a third. Luke 2 records the Heavenly Host praising God as they announced to the Shepherds. If an angel sings who has no merit in eternal life, how much more should we the recipients of that Greatest of All Gifts? We have the heart drive in us who have been redeemed to lift joyous praises to our Lord because we are thankful to Him for coming to this world for our good, when He did not have to. This singing is a slice of the coming Kingdom I believe. I believe in the Kingdom there will be concerts and recitals and music scored like never before. Why? THE KING will be present, just as He was then, but with ALL His might and power and glory! How shall we not sing? Start practicing! Choir rehearsal is now, the 1000 year performance is coming soon!
Why do I send cards at Christmas? Okay, there were no cards sent from the Bethlehem post office to the whole Roman Empire that wondrous night. No cards, but there was a lot of things to tell! Christmas cards actually started being sent in the Victorian period of our European American history. Note that the happiest of all these things are celebrated where Christ has been honored and believed in. Actually Mother's day has superseded Christmas in card sending but its still a big industry. Most of the cards I have received have been Christ centered. The reason we send cards is that we care for people and want them remembered at this time, which is lonely for many. At the same time, Christians desire that the true message of the Christmas Gospel be sent out. We want the cards that are beautifully illustrated and verbally eloquent because its the Kings birthday! Like the angels, whose name means "messenger," we want all to get the message of the love of Christ that He showed us on Christmas day. We want very clearly to share with all men what Christ has done for us and what He can do for them. We hand address these many pieces of mail just as God Himself hand addresses His message to the human heart, "Dear...(Your name insert here), I love you, I sent My only Son for you, I don't want you to die in your sins, trust My Son, He will save you." That is the real reason behind card sending.
How did Santa Claus worm his way into all this so freely? Well it was time we tackled the tough one, the case of the little fat man in the white beard that the world clamours over in place of Christ. Is Santa Claus an institution of Satan? No. A tool maybe. I have always said that if a fat jolly man who rides around with reindeer challenges your faith and ours corporately, then we have no faith at all.
Santa Claus doesn't bother me, I even have been know to impersonate him. He is no threat to Christ either. For those who know Christ as Savior and Lord, the feeling should be mutual. How did He get so wrapped up in Christmas? Like anything good, the Devil will overly pervert it to take men's minds off the real meaning of anything. The only problem with that is the real Santa Claus (not of the North Pole) was named St. Nicholas. Nicholas was a real person who devoted his life to doing good things, primarily for children. Nicholas was not motivated by personal aggrandizement, but a sincere desire to imitate the Master by doing good in the world. So shall our pattern ought to be. Speaking of children, these were the special ones Jesus cared for and on their account gave the most vehement rebuke He ever gave to His disciples as they wanted the children to go away. I am not saying this is justified reason to put Santa alongside Jesus, no one dares be in His place, but if you desire to know Saint Nicks place in all this, I think this is why. Remember too that the world views gift giving as the job of Nicholas, which is what he is known for in church history, but even Nicholas knew that he was just trying to serve the Lord and give what he could, just as the Lord did, but not in competition, rather in desire that others would know the GIFT of GIFTS when they received something wonderful they did not deserve.
Jesus Christ is the root cause and reason for everything good of Christmas, but is He the reason you celebrate it? So many people have said, "are you ready for Christmas?" The only reply you can give is the one that is true in your heart. If you have Christ in your heart, you are ready. He is the Reason you are ready.
Glorious Father and Sovereign King Jesus, oh how we thank You for desiring such wretches of sin cursed blasphemers to be included in your Heavenly Kingdom. You were moved so much by love you gave everything freely to us to be saved, You sent Your only Son. For we know that whosoever shall believe in Him shall not perish as he or she deserves, but will have everlasting Life with You. There is no way to thank You for this adequately. May this Christmas season find us thankful and moreover sharing that Good News with our fellow man. Thank You that You are the Reason and not some worldly fad. Help us to keep our focus on the Manger and then the Cross and to our Heavenly Home one glorious day. In all this, help us to serve You in sincerity and Truth all the year. In thy Matchless and Holy Name we pray, Amen.
