The Other True Meaning Of Christmas

Locally the endeavor by some to remove the word "Christmas" from our vocabulary has received a lot press. Many stores and companies have directed their employees to use the phrase "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." One local talk show hosts replies by simply asking,"what holiday is it?" Last evening at Sky Peaks, the retirement community where we conduct a Bible Study, a couple of residents commented that never in their lives have they ever remembered such an assault on Christmas. Even the purist at times gets caught up in the busyness of Christmas. We all want to share the good times with family and friends. This is a good thing. However, if we're not careful we can still miss the gift that Christmas is. The Bible tells us that there is "Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love." God's greatest gift to us was not our life, but His life. Not our birth, but our savior's birth. Not our ability to love, but His love toward us. This morning when I checked my e-mail there was a message from one of my daughters. As I read it I noticed that it summed up what I have felt about Christmas for the past twenty five years. (It was twenty five years ago that I truly began to live my live for the One who gave His life for me.) Here is her letter to me: "Dad, I was just sitting here thinking about Christmas and I wanted to share with you something that I remember from my childhood. I remember the one year that we went and stayed in Tahoe with Calvin and Jana, we were all running around one night and you wanted to tell us the Christmas story. You grabbed the Bible and were ready to read to us, but instead we all wanted to watch TV. We were so excited to get to watch a little TV since we didn't have one at home that we had put the real reason for Christmas on the back burner. I remember that you started crying and told us that it hurt you that all we were interested in was watching TV when you were trying to share with us the story of Christmas. I remember that I felt so convicted at the time. And right then I got a love for the true meaning of Christmas. A love that I have now been able to pass on to my kids. I just thought you would like to hear how one little moment of your good parenting changed a part of my life for the better. It's a moment that has always stuck with me. I remember it every Christmas and have now shared it with the girls. I started thinking about this because, tonight I went out to do some Christmas shopping. I went to Toys R Us and as I was leaving the parking lot, I glanced across the street and saw the Christian bookstore. It was the only store around that was completely empty. I thought to myself, how sad that we are celebrating Jesus' birth and every store is filled except for 'his'. So then of course I went in and spent a bunch of my husbands money. But hey that's a pretty good story to use to defend my shopping addiction." Well, I must admit I cried again, but this time there was a different reason for them. As parents we want our children to do things right, but not just out of obedience. We want them to understand the reasoning and the true meanings of our actions. I think she grasped what I was trying to teach them. All our children have. My wife and our other daughter have lately stated that it would be nice if we didn't exchange gifts with each other but do something for someone else. After all that's what God did for us. It is my deepest wish at this season, and all year long, that we understand the true meaning of Christmas. Not the wrapped gifts under the tree, but the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes that one day would hang upon a tree for you and me. Now you know. Go have a Merry and Blessed Christmas.

What's Trite About It?

A few days ago I was listening to the radio on my way home from work. The talk show host was asking his listeners to call in and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. As he asked this question, I began to think of the standard answer I give my wife when she asks what I want for Christmas. "Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward Men." All of a sudden the program's host said, "Don't call in and tell me something trite, like "Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward Men." Talk about timing! Almost immediately I became quite incensed. The first thought in my mind was, "Hey, that was the purpose of the first Christmas." In fact, the very first Christmas message was delivered to the shepherds. It was very simple: 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 most important thing that we can remember is the meaning behind the first Christmas. God's desire was that we could be at peace. At peace with one another, but especially with Him. In fact it was His goodwill toward men that allows us to be in a position to be at peace with Him and one another. So, I must ask, "What's trite about that?" The angelic herald was the pinnacle of preaching, the apex of all messages to men. God is here to do something about us. For us. Listen to the message. And practice what is preached.

Tis The Season

Well, it's upon us. The Christmas season is here again! Wow, it seems like it just ended and here we are again. Many things will be said about keeping things in perspective. They will run the gamut from not spending too much, to not getting overly stressed and even to not overeating. I must admit, I will be guilty of most all of them. The truth be told, spending too much leads to stress eating. Thank the Lord for January diets! Much has been reported in the media lately about the removal of Christianity from this season. I won't bore you with re-hashing the arguments, but I will simply state, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." We celebrate the gift God gave us in His son, Jesus. Jesus is the Christ, therefore the holiday (holy day) is called "Christmas." As parents we give gifts to our children. But the day is not called "Parentmas!" Husbands and wives exchange gifts but it not called "Spousemas!" Need I continue? We give gifts to commemorate God's gift to us. Without the gift of the Savior, we would not have hope. However, because of that most special gift, we now celebrate this season. I know there are various opinions about the actual time of the birth of Jesus, pagan associations to the winter solstice and myriad other arguments to take away the most important aspect of the season. The remembrance of the birth of our Savior So in keeping everything else in perspective, let's keep the main thing the main thing. There would be no Christmas without Christ. You cannot "X" Him out of your holiday. You can shop, spend money and overeat anytime. You don't have to call it "Spendmas." My suggestion: Close your pocketbook, close your refrigerator door. Open your Bible. Open your heart to the real theme of the holiday. Joy to the world, the hope of heaven still reigns. Merry Christmas.