Although Jesus was not born in December, nonetheless, He was born. History has it that Jesus was born.
John the Baptist announced to those who were listening to him that Jesus was the Lamb of God (Jn 1:29, 36). Paul the apostle also alluded to the fact that Jesus came to the world: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1Tim 1: 15). He went further to write in 1Timothy 3:16 that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” He is the express image of God (Heb 1: 3). As Pastor Tony Evans described Him: “Jesus is God’s selfie.” The perfect mirror of God.
Christmas means Christ’s mass or the celebration of Christ. This time has been set apart by the church fathers to celebrate His birth. Indeed, the Apostles of Jesus did not celebrate Christmas or the birth of Jesus. The actual celebration of Christmas did not start until the 2nd Century.
Unfortunately, we are living in a time that has made this season about stuff and not about Jesus. It used to be that people are more responsive when you greet them “Merry Christmas” but nowadays, people get offended easily when you extend the same greetings to them.
As children of God, we must bring Jesus back to where He belongs. We must allow Him to have the preeminence in all things. He belongs at the forefront. He is the center who holds everything together.
Since some of us want to be politically correct we tend to greet people with ‘Happy Holiday’ instead of Merry Christmas. It seems some people are more comfortable with that. We must remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. It is because of Him that Christmas was established in the first place and without His coming to the world, we will not have it.
As children of God, we must bring Jesus back to where He belongs. We must allow Him to have the preeminence in all things. He belongs at the forefront. He is the center who holds everything together.
for some people, Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year but the most stressful time.
If we don’t remind people about His birth, those who don’t know Him will make it about Santa Claus, Christmas tree, elf, gift exchange, family gatherings, holidays etc. Christmas is not about Santa but about Christ. It is about the gift of Christ—the indescribable gift—the Redeemer and Savior of the whole world. It is a time of gratitude and reflection of what He accomplished for us.
if you are stressed about Christmas, you may have forgotten its reason.
Christmas is about the demonstration of God’s love for the world (Jn 3: 16). If we make it anything other than that we will not experience the Prince of Peace. Remember the Bible stated that many people shall rejoice at His birth (Lk 1: 15). When we make it about Him, we will experience joy, peace, and goodwill.
However, for some people, Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year but the most stressful time. Many people are not looking forward to it because of the sadness and the pressure they experience. Many people are dreading this time that should be about His love for them. A time when they should know that God has accepted them and He is not angry with them. Many people as we speak dread going to family gatherings because those families have left Jesus out of their gathering and celebration. They have made it more about a time to nitpick or criticize others not a time of acceptance, encouragement, love, and celebration of His love and care for the world.
So, if you are stressed about Christmas, you may have forgotten its reason. If all you think about is the gifts you will give or get, then you may have lost your focus. If you are not rejoicing you may have made it something else other than what it was originally meant to be. Let’s bring Christ back to the mass and not make it about ourselves. So, in setting the record straight, Merry Christmas to you.
