On a 750-mile road trip, I clicked through a plethora of stations Sirius/XM had to offer: rock, Christmas music, radio classics (yes, I love old campy detective stories from the 1940s), and so many others because my attention span is that of a 5-year-old. Then I heard someone from a Family Talk sermon say, “Are you celebrating Christmas or Christ?” That’s when I thought, “Oh crud. Probably talking to me, so I guess I should listen.”
You see, I love Christmas. I put up our tree on August 1st (will explain later) and started playing Christmas music on November 1st because it was time to finish decorating the rest of the house, which includes a second tree, more lights, garland, electric candles (I am truly capable of burning the house down), nativities (yes, there are multiple), a Santa hat on my rattan flamingo, and yes, more.
The words the pastor spoke were good, and I know that reexamining my heart is part of a healthy faith life. So I listened. As I did, I agreed with what he said: Christ should be the priority and subject of our celebration. But I still love decorating, lights, and the beauty of this season.
So afterward, I turned off the radio to ponder my love of Christmas and everything I did to prepare for that special day. Were they reflective of Jesus or a distraction from the purpose for the season?
Christmas Tree in August?
My oldest grandson, now 10, has helped me decorate our tree for the last five years. When we hung ornaments, I allowed him to climb a ladder (don’t worry, I was standing behind him). We would turn on Christmas music and, at times, sing along, laugh, celebrate, and take joy in this rite of passage from Halloween to Christmas. We never skipped Thanksgiving; it is simply an intermission.
This year, he and his mother were moving 700-plus miles away from us, and they would be gone by the first week of August. The packing was complete for the truck to be loaded when I asked him if he would like to put up the Christmas tree before they left.
His resounding “YES” confirmed what I suspected. He needed one more memory of the place he was leaving. This transition was challenging, exciting, and scary. So, we put up the tree. Why? Because I wanted to care for him and meet his needs as his life was changing.
It was while on the cross that Jesus said one thing that seemed out of context with everything else he spoke. One of the last things He did on this earth was to care for someone He loved. Fulfilling a need that he couldn’t leave this earth without addressing. Seeing his mother standing beside the disciple he loved not far from the cross where he died, he said this.
“‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And he said to this disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from then on, this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:26-27
Too Many Ornaments to Count
As we place the ornaments on the tree, we look back at the richness of the life we have led. We remember the hard times that forced the getaway trip to recover and refresh—reminded of good years and years that have been challenging, celebrating after losing someone we love, seasons of health problems, business challenges, and financial struggles. But in each hanging of the ornament, we are inevitably thankful.
God has seen us through good and bad times, and He’s been faithful in ways we could never have understood before we experienced them. These ornaments are a perfect reminder of where our joy, strength, and hope came from.
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7
Throwing a Party
Each year, we have the extended family and “not family” family in our home. We eat, we laugh, we draw numbers, and steal each other’s gifts (we actually buy good ones, which makes it even more robbery-prone), ending the day by eating more and pulling out the stack of board games for this competitive bunch.
We pray before our meal, but this is not a devotional Bible study event. We are more inclined to prod and make fun of each other as the day progresses, thoroughly enjoying this celebration and treasuring our rare time together.
It was a wedding celebration where Jesus performed his first miracle. Anyone who has seen or participated in a Jewish wedding knows that Jewish people understand celebration! As a Jewish man, Jesus certainly joined in, dancing, eating, and laughing with those he loved. He must love surrounding Himself with His family as much as I do because He intends to celebrate with us, His children, again when this world comes to an end. This event will be the party of parties.
“Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’” Revelation 19:9
Where Is Jesus in the Celebration?
In our current culture, there’s pushback about how much Jesus should be in our celebration. Or if He needs to be in it at all. That’s OK; there’s been pushback for centuries. But that should not deter us from placing Christ front and center as we celebrate.
I have a nativity in my front yard. It’s a good size and looks quite lovely. I contemplated purchasing one of those 5-foot-tall Fontanini Nativities that you often see outside Catholic Churches. When I told my husband it was a mere $6,000.00, he squashed that rather quickly. Righfully so.
But this is the season to show my faith. When clerks say “Happy Holidays,” I say “Merry Christmas.” They often relax and repeat it. They’re under a lot of pressure, so be nice to them.
The songs of the season include Mariah Carey and Silent Night. Often heard in the background of many places we shop, Christ is proclaimed. So, let’s take advantage of this season to remind others why we celebrate, whether through song, greeting, or a nativity in your front yard.
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32
Lights in the Darkness
Have you ever wondered why we drive through neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights? There is a neighborhood near us where you literally have to get behind a long winding line of cars to slowly pass splendidly decorated homes throughout the community. Some are funny, some tell a story, and there are a few nativities, with arches of lights across entire streets. We smile, laugh, and point throughout the 35-minute journey.
Why? Light brings us joy. Whether we realize it or not, in this setting, it exemplifies the one we serve. Light in the darkness.
In this season, we have an excellent opportunity to be that. By the gifts we give. But not just to those we know and love. To children who don’t have, and some whose parents are in prison. To wounded warriors struggling, or the organizations that help them. Dropping something in the red kettle as we pass the bell ringer, or joining volunteers in the homeless shelter.
“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:1
Am I Celebrating Christmas or Christ?
After searching my own heart, I realize I easily get caught up in the “to-dos” of the season. But that doesn’t mean I am celebrating Christmas. Not if I look at the why of what I do and place Christ at the center of each moment, each celebration, and encounter with those around me.
This Christmas, as we embrace this special season, let’s do this:
- Care well for those around us and meet their needs.
- Be thankful for every season of life God has given and how He has met us along the way.
- Celebrate with family, as we look toward the ultimate celebration with our Savior.
- Be bold about the faith in the one who came to die for us, not just at Christmas but every day.
- Take this time to be that light in the darkness, as Jesus is to us.
So may I say “Merry Christmas to All,” knowing we are celebrating the beginning of the work Christ came to accomplish on this earth. To fulfill his purpose as he walked this earth, to die, rise again so we can celebrate a faith we did not earn.
As I reflect on my own heart, I am going to wring every moment out of this Christmas, knowing that He really is the reason for this season and all that it brings.
