Keeping Christ in Christmas

For several years now, the specific seasonal greeting of “Merry Christmas” has changed to a more generic form of salutation during Christmastime. Now, we often hear “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings” in place of “Merry Christmas.”

Another interesting thing to note is the substitution of the letter “x” for “Christ” in Christmas. Some people may know that “X” came from the 16^th century Greek, and refers to “Christ,” so that’s a good thing, but many people are unaware of that. Sadly, it is a very subtle and deceptive way to remove Christ from Christmas.

More obvious ways to remove our focus from Christ is the attention given to Santa and his reindeer, the buying and giving of gifts, and even listening to traditional secular Christmas music, none of which are not “evil” by themselves, but when the emphasis for Christmas is placed on these things, ignoring the celebration that rightfully belongs to the Lord Jesus, it becomes a subtle form of idolatry.

It is very easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas and forget the real reason for Christmas, but the Bible reminds us that the birth of Jesus was extraordinarily special, so much so that the angels of heaven rejoiced over His birth.  “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” – Luke 2:13-14.  The birth of Christ truly caused all of heaven to rejoice! This angelic display alone clearly demonstrates the divine importance placed upon the birth of God’s only begotten Son.

While it is true that many people do recognize that Christmas as the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the real question to ask ourselves is “Do we really keep Christ in Christmas?”

Here are a few ways to keep Christ in our Christmas AND our hearts!

1. The number one way is to keep Jesus in your DAILY life. How? You must have a personal relationship with Jesus. Is there a time in your life when you asked Jesus to forgive you and become your Savior? This is the reason God’s Son came to earth that very first Christmas day… to pay for our sins on the cross and provide salvation through Him for everyone who chooses to trust Him for forgiveness of their sins and make Him Lord of their life. I John 4:14 states, “… The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.”  Acts 16:31 goes on to say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved…”

Other ways to keep Christ as the center of your Christmas holiday:

2. Set aside a special time to read the Christmas story in Luke 1:5 – 2:20. Remind yourself of the specialness of Jesus’ birth. Isaiah 7:14 records the uniqueness of this birth. “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

3. Set up a nativity scene in the main room of your home. Near the Christmas tree is a great place to place the manger scene because it will be plainly visible when you are enjoying the lights and beauty of your decorated tree. If you don’t have a nativity set, you can set up a Christmas card that has a picture of the nativity in a place where you can see it every day. “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:7

4. Do something nice for someone. Maybe you can spend some extra time with someone here who needs a friend during Christmas. The Bible tells us, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32. Doing a random act of kindness shows others the love of God through you! Remember, you may be the only Jesus some will ever see!

Here are a few ideas of what you can do:

*Spend some extra time with someone here who needs a friend during Christmas. Maybe it is someone who has no nearby family or who has lost a loved one the past year. Maybe it is someone who is unable to go to church or get out on their own. Your visit will brighten their day and put the love of Jesus in you to action.

*Write a note to a special family member or friend. Personal communication has almost gone by the wayside due to technology. With email, social networking, texting… we’ve almost forgotten how wonderful it is to receive a handwritten note from a friend! It truly blesses one’s heart to be a recipient of a card or letter.

*Send a Christmas card to someone you haven’t seen in a while. Sending a note of Christmas cheer to someone will touch your own heart as well as the one who receives your card.

5. Make sure to have a special personal devotion time on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Maybe it’s just to reread the Christmas story from the Bible. Maybe it’s a short devotion from a booklet. Start the day with Jesus. It will help you remain focused on Him. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” -2 Timothy 2:15

6. Attend a church service if you can. Nothing replaces the gathering together of fellow believers in a time of celebration for Christmas. There are services on television, radio, the Internet also for those who cannot get to a church. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25

7. Share your faith with someone. A quiet Christmas evening is a wonderful time to share how Christ became your Savior or how God has blessed you in the previous year. Find a friend to sit with and share your faith. Hebrews 10:23-24 states, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised; And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” The Christmas season is the time of year when people are more receptive to hearing the gospel. Take the time to share Jesus, and you may be blessed by the results!

As you celebrate Christmas this year, remember the real reason for the holiday.       CELEBRATE CHRIST!

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine, oh night divine!

(from “O Holy Night” by Placide Cappeau & Adolphe Adame)

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”- Luke 2:11

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How will you remember Christmas this year?