Not long ago, I heard a song playing at a store. From what I could tell, the song consisted of nothing but these words: “Celebrate; everybody, everybody celebrate.” Those four words must have been repeated about 50 times before the song ended. I had to ask out loud to whoever would listen, “What are we celebrating?” This thought occurred to me: is there a similar confusion regarding Christmas? ‘Celebrate Christmas,’ we are told every December, ‘Everybody, celebrate.’ And we attempt to do so, but I have to wonder if many of us even know why we are celebrating in the first place.
I’m not sure if you are a big Christmas movie fan, but in
recent years I have seen dozens and dozens of them, many more than I ever used
to. And I discovered that these Christmas movies present a mixed bag of messages to the viewer regarding
the meaning of Christmas. One film tells
us Christmas is about spending time with family and friends; another says it’s
actually about giving to others. Another
will make a reference to the baby Jesus in a manger, and leave the narrative
there. Throw in films about Santa Claus
who is God-like in power, and you have a smorgasbord of Christmas notions.
The truth is, when you get right down to it, Christmas – as
a pastor eloquently put it recently – is summed up in John 3:16; “For God so
loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him would
not perish but have everlasting life.” For
God so loved the world – He loved you and me – that He chose to subject Himself
to life as a human being; He chose to become a baby, then a toddler, a
teenager, and an adult that many completely misunderstood.
Many years ago – in 2011 to be exact, the first year of
this blog – I had an intense dream that I was completely submerged in deep
waters. No matter how hard I tried to
swim to the surface, I was unsuccessful.
When I woke up, I used the feelings of complete helplessness in my dream
to help write a college assignment essay; I was to compose my own Psalm. I wrote of being “trapped underwater with no
hope of swimming to the surface” and being “chained in a dark, damp dungeon
with no help in sight.” But I also spoke
of how Jesus rescued me!
Isaiah 9:6 is often quoted this time of year, and rightly
so. “For unto us a Child is born, unto
us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This is an incredible prophetic word about
Jesus. But, just a few verses earlier,
there’s another marvelous prophecy; in Isaiah 9:2, we read, “The people who
walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the
shadow of death, upon them a light has dawned” (verse 2). Matthew tells us that Jesus fulfilled this
prophecy (Matthew 4:14-16). Jesus is the
light. Jesus is the hope.
Because of Christmas, because Jesus came to “save His
people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21) there is hope. Jesus was born in a manger, yes; but He
subsequently lived a perfect and exemplary life. As God incarnate, He performed mind-blowing
miracles, and His teachings left people “astonished” (Matthew 7:28). Eventually He died a substitutionary death to
pay the price of humanity’s sin. But then
He rose from the dead; and He ultimately ascended back to Heaven.
In conclusion, it was Paul McCartney who wrote the song “Wonderful Christmastime”. (The words “simply having a wonderful Christmastime” does certainly stick in your mind). I can attest to you that this catchy line is true of my Christmas season. Not because I live a life that is somehow blind to the trouble, heartache, and pain in the world – or in my own life. Absolutely not. Believe me, I could write an entire blog on the pressures and suffering in life, but I don’t want to discourage you or myself.
No, I’m having a wonderful Christmas celebration because of the true reason for this season: Jesus Himself. I'm grateful for the hope of Heaven after I pass from this Earthly life, and I’m also grateful for the abundant life in Christ right now; the hope, peace, light, and joy to be experienced today.
Kevin
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