CHRIST IS CHRISTMAS

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Fire goes before him and consumes His foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see His glory. All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols — worship Him, all you gods!

Psalm 97:1-7

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

As Christmas approaches, there is typically joyful anticipation in nearly every home but not all of it is because of the coming birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Sadly, much of the joyful anticipation revolves around awaking Christmas morn and gathering around the tree to worship material gifts more that the One who will come to offer the greatest gift of all, salvation and eternal life.

A Lifeway Research survey revealed the following statistics:

- 89% surveyed said they will give gifts

- 86% will dine with family or friends

- 80% will put up a Christmas tree

- 79% will play holiday music

Contrast this with this additional data:

- 58% say they "encourage belief in Jesus Christ as savior."

- 47% attend church Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

- 34% watch "biblical Christmas movies."

- 28% read or tell the Christmas story from the Bible.

The results are sobering to me. I mean, where has our focus gone in regard to the Christmas holiday? Where is your focus?

Has a tree become more important than a manger?

Has spending time with family and friends trumped spending time in worship of Jesus you’re your church family?

Has materialism replaced spiritualism?

Would we rather listen to Jingle Bells than the story of Jesus’ birth in Luke, Chapter 2?

And when it comes to DVD’s, would we rather watch Toy Story over The Nativity Story?

Again, where is our focus? Are we even interested in Advent anymore and the prayerful preparation for the coming of Christ in a lowly Bethlehem’s manger, a Savior conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a young virgin named Mary?

Friends, it’s time to bring the magic back into Christmas and it isn’t found in any wrapped gift or stuffed stocking. It isn’t found at a party or on a tree. It isn’t inside a dish prepared or a song played.

No, the magic of Christmas is simple. It begins and ends with Jesus, the anticipated Messiah who would be humbly born in a lowly stall and thirty-three years later die a criminal’s death on Calvary’s cross, shedding His innocent blood as an atonement for our sins and saving those who would place their faith and trust in Him.

The psalmist who wrote the 97th Psalm provides us with great exhortations to heed as we approach one of the most important days of the year. We should be glad and rejoice for the Lord God reigns. Through His love, He gave us His only Son Jesus to us and for us. In Him, the heavens proclaimed the righteousness of God. Through Him, all people saw God’s glory and majesty in full display.

As we ever get nearer to Christmas, it would be a good idea to examine your heart and see where you are at. Is your excitement centered on Jesus? Are you preparing your heart to receive Him anew more than you are preparing presents or a holiday menu? Is a tree and associated decorations a higher priority than the scene at the manger illuminated by a star overhead, a scene far more humble than the dazzling lights and other accoutrements we string, dangle and illuminate?

Friends, it’s simple. Christ is Christmas. He was, is, and always will be. Do you see Him that way?

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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