The Meaning of Christmas

Christmas is Amoxicillin one of my ( and I Amoxicillin expiration am sure Paroxetine hcl Motrin vs ibuprofen 10 mg lots of peoples) favorite times of the year. It is a time for family, food, fun, and fires (if it is cold where you live). There are many other things we do this time of year too like shopping, partying, giving, listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, and wanting to wring that drivers neck who cut us off and almost made us hit another car. Oh yeah, then we decorate with festive things then go look at how other people decorated, wrap presents, make and eat candy, gain weight, and generally stress out all the while wearing a happy face and telling ourselves that we are having the best time of our lives. We are washed away by all things Christmas and then, when it’s all over, we take a deep breath (and start planning for next year).

Before I continue I want to reiterate that I really do love this time of year and for most of the reasons above. Most of us do. I just was making the point that there are so many things that demand our attention and, for the most part, we are more than willing to give it. As Christians we try our very best not to lose ourselves in all the goings-ons but it is a hard battle and by the time it is over I feel I have lost. I know why we really celebrate this day. It is the beginning of the main act of the story of our redemption from sin and separation from the God who created us. We are celebrating the day our Creator came humbly to the world He created fully knowing all it would entail. We are celebrating the promise and plan of our gracious God coming to pass. Jesus Christ was born this day! What better news could there be than the arrival of our Savior? None! He is here, just as God promised He would be! Hallelujah to the King!

And somehow this amazing truth gets lost in the mix. We haven’t intentionally ignored the meaning, it is just drowned out. Satan will do anything to try and diminish the work God is doing even if it means going along with what God intended and giving it a little twist. You can’t kill the message of God, but you can try to muddle it. The best way to attempt to kill the message of Christmas is to surround it with so many distracting things this world offers, even things that are a reflection of the true meaning, that the most glorious part becomes just that, a part; a small piece of the whole. Amazingly, even with all the stuff surrounding and attempting to impede the message and implications of Christ’s birth, God’s message and intent will not be weakened. The potency of Christ’s coming to this world shines through the fog just as brightly as if the fog had not been there.

Take the time, even if it means stepping back from all the festivities and really meditate on what Christmas means in your life. Is it the beginning of the climax of redemptive history for you or is it just a fun time when we get to eat a lot and receive gifts? If it is the former then act like it is. If it is the latter, I would encourage you to receive the most important gift that can be received and the most costly to give. Jesus Christ came to this world as a man so that he could take your place and die for your sins. God has His gun of judgment aimed at you. That gun will be fired. Christ is offering to jump in front of that bullet for you. Will you take Him up on His offer and receive that gift and live your life for Him like you’ve been given a new one? I pray you will. The meaning of Christmas is more than is presented to us by the world. It is Salvation and an eternity with our Creator.

Brian