Posted by
R.J. on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 4:59:45 PM
What a complex and convoluted phenomenon Christmas has become when at its core it simply commemorates our Lord’s birth. I could go on and on about Christmas—its various facets and the effect it has on society, perhaps—but the best message I can share comes from Luke 2:7-20.
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.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” 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, goodwill toward men!”
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (NKJV)
You feel like watching A Charlie Brown Christmas now, don’t you? Go ahead; it’s a great movie. As good ‘ol Chuck realizes, Christmas is meant to be simple and enjoyable, not commercial and hectic. Ultimately this season of charity gives us the perfect opportunity to help others in our communities. I encourage you, amidst the hustle and bustle of December, to give some of your time to serve someone, whether that means helping with the family cleaning and decorating or collecting items for the local food bank. Any service, large or small, can make a difference in someone’s life. However, most importantly, make time on Christmas day to thank God for His greatest gift to humankind: His Son, Jesus Christ, the real “reason for the season.”