Putting Christ back in Christmas
Are we turning a corner as holidays become more meaningful and profound?
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:8-20).
Man’s fear preceded angelic praise in this all too familiar Christmas story. An angel speaks of joy but these shepherds are overwhelmed by his glory reflecting the glory of our creator. Our joy is often hidden by our fear just like those humble men confronted by powerful messengers of the one true and holy God. The Bible communicates this same message to us in softer words as prophetic teachers and preachers expound on these truths. But our ultimate joy is made complete in the person and work of Jesus Christ. His life, work, and death satisfied our debt. He has called us from death to life as we celebrate his life on this planet culminating in his sacrificial death.
Jesus taught us to abide in him, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). And no greater moment speaks to this joy than Christmas. I pray that you never lose the wonder and awe found on Christmas Eve as we anticipate our celebration of the coming Messiah on Christmas morning who will come once again. “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming” (2 Thessalonians 2:8). When Jesus was incarnated he came as a babe in the manger, but when he returns from heaven he is a king who provides justice and judges all mankind. “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).
We fight even on Christmas. In 1776, the nascent United States was saved by an unconventional move on Christmas night. George Washington led a surprise attack on German mercenaries in the Battle of Trenton. Facing a dire situation with a dwindling army, Washington's victories at Trenton and Princeton provided strategic gains and boosted American morale. Following increased enlistments in the wake of these battles which turned the tide, the war for independence was eventually won. Washington believed in a divine sovereign plan and his prayerful faith in God led to military success. In 1782, Rev. Ezra Stiles, the president of Yale College intoned that “All forms of civil polity have been tried by mankind, except one, and that seems to have been reserved in Providence to be realized in America.” Washington's leadership and biblical faith in the American experiment on Christmas Day are a gift from God.
Make no mistake, there is no celebration of Jesus without the recognition of our sinfulness. “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us)” (Matthew 1:23). The Word became Flesh (John 1:1) to save us from our sins. Christmas may be one of our earliest memories of Jesus and we should praise God for the opportunity to celebrate him in this country. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). It is a running joke that some people only attend church on Christmas and Easter. I pray that those who think that darkening the doors of a church a couple of days every year is enough to get them into heaven will realize their shallow and hollow practice avails them nothing. And, instead, with this last Christmas accept Christ.
The word holiday, from Holy Day, is suffused with religious connotations even as the experience of many in our culture lacks religious fealty.1 But this commercialized Christmas is beginning to wear thin, as people who no longer adhere to any faith are letting go of all pretense. Opening the door for genuine observations of Christmas, which remains the most popular holiday in this country, is an improvement. Church services this year may express both a more evangelical tone and a somber spirit. The original name Christmas comes from the religious service, mass, celebrating Jesus’ miraculous virgin birth. December 25, 336, is the first recorded celebration of a Holy Day remembering the incarnation of Jesus, Christmas, under the reign of Constantine “25 Dec. natus Christus in Betleem Judeae.”2
What was your experience in worship this year? And, as a point of fact, why is this the year 2023?
Our dating system around the world regardless of the religion practiced is based on the birth of Jesus Christ. That is power; the power to change the record of time. While the exact date of his birth may be unknown, the Julian calendar is benchmarked to the year 0 BC, Before Christ.3 We know that Jesus was born, and have established the year this miracle took place as the beginning of the Chruch Age. Modern public school students have been taught by academics and their lackeys to use the abbreviation BCE which stands for Before Common Era, in an attempt to rewrite history.4 But the event of Jesus’ birth remains. Easter is the holiest day in the Christian calendar but Christmas is the most widely celebrated Christian holiday around the world because everyone likes getting presents. Yet, the awe and wonder of Christmas seeps into our pores as we dodge about stores.
To celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and our new birth we must enjoy his birth and life with us. This historical fact stands out among religious ceremonies; no other religious figure claimed to be God and was raised by God from the dead.5 Let us celebrate Jesus today and every day. Let us praise the giver of life and light this year and in the new year. Every opportunity we have we should sing his praise like the angels did over 2000 years ago. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” And those who do not find his favor will face his judgment. Merry Christmas indeed.
McCrossen, A. (2001). Holy Day, Holiday: The American Sunday. Cornell University Press.
"Christmas." Encyclopedia Americana. Chicago: Americana Corp., 1956. "Christmas." Encyclopedia Britannica. 1967. "Christmas," "Dionysius Exiguus," and "Philocalian Calendar." Cross, F. L. and Livingstone, E. A. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Oxford, 1997.
Nissenbaum, S. (1997). The battle for Christmas. Vintage.
Richards, E. G. (2012). "Calendars" (PDF). In Urban, S. E.; Seidelmann, P. K. (eds.). Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac (3rd ed.). Mill Valley, CA: University Science Books. p. 585.
Habermas, G. R. (2003). The risen Jesus & future hope. Rowman & Littlefield.