Christmas, X-mas or Happy Holidays

Many years ago this wouldn’t have even been a question or concern; December was the Christmas holiday season. Now amongst the outcry of intolerance December is mainly for Happy Holidays.

Season greetings, happy holidays and Winter break have replaced the word Christmas and we, those who call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ, should be concerned. Those who do not recognize the deity of Jesus Christ will not be celebrating the birth of the messiah and yet many of them will be exchanging gifts on December 25th. Sadly many “Christians” celebrate Christmas no differently then anyone else. The 25th is filled with Christmas trees, gifts, stockings, Santa, elves, Rudolph, Frosty and an abundance of eggnog and yet little if no celebration of God taking the form of a man to live with us and reconcile us to Himself.

Many people will be out shopping this time of the year for the must have gift and yet so many are missing out on the only “must have gift”, one that is free to receive, one that cost the most from the giver and the one that only really matters. That is the free gift of Salvation given by the one who’s day of birth we have replaced with Santa.

I love this time of year, and I especially love the Christmas story. No, not the one where Ralphie convinces his parents to buy him a Red Ryder BB gun (I wonder how many of you immediately thought of this story when I said that?). I am talking about the Christmas story found in Luke chapter Two. There is no Santa Clause; no lamp made out of a leg and no Red Ryder BB gun in this Christmas story but there is hope. Hope for the weary and the lost. Hope for sinners to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. There is a reason for the season.

December 25th will come and go. Trees, stockings and tinsel will be packaged away until next year. Families will return home leftovers from dinner in tow. The must have toys and gadgets will be forgotten and discarded. School and work will resume and life will continue. But Christ will remain. Don’t X out Christ this Christmas. Isn’t it time to hold onto something that will last? Isn’t it time to celebrate now and forever that Jesus is King? I want to leave you with some lyrics from one of my favorite Christmas Carols; O Holy Night. This wraps up why this time of year is so wonderful to me.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!