Is “Christ” in Your Christmas?
Is “Christ” in your Christmas? Every year we as Christians ask this question as we acknowledge the birth of Christ and what it means to us and the world whether they accept Him or not.
As Christians, we know that Jesus died on the cross (it wasn’t on a Friday), rose on the third day in order to save us from the penalty for the sins we’ve committed. If you’ve been born into this world – you have sinned. There are no exceptions. God knew this and that’s why He sent Jesus to do exactly what He did. This was God’s greatest gift to us because He loves us so much!
So even though we know that Jesus’ actual birthday is not December 25th, we’ve adopted that day to say “Happy Birthday” to Jesus, as we celebrate and thank Him for what he did for us! I’m not sure about you but I’m glad about it!
All of that being said, when we look around during this time of year, all of us have seen what many call the commercialization of Christmas. People think it’s more about Santa Claus, reindeer & Rudolph, and snowman who come to life. They are more concerned with receiving gifts than giving gifts as Christ gave us the gift of salvation. What part do you play in this commercialization of Christmas? We expect it from those who don’t believe in Jesus Christ, but what about those of us who do believe in Him yet still play into this commercialization?
So, how are you making sure they you keep “Christ” in your Christmas? Many, many people work extremely hard all year round to help those who are struggling to help themselves. For example, they help people who are left homeless, and those in rehabs of all types (homeless, drugs & disabled). These people help and volunteer in hospitals, while some help and volunteer in prisons, etc. These people show and give the love of Christ all year long. So to show your appreciation of all that they do, it is a good idea to help these people out by making donations and volunteering at least once per year yourself. That would be a great way to keep Christ in your Christmas!
Let’s look at a few other ways you can make sure you keep Christ in your Christmas!
- Get a gift to Jesus for his birthday. Yeah, I hear you talking, how can I give a birthday gift to Jesus? Well, the answer is simple. In 2 Samuel 24: 23-25: 23 Your Majesty, Araunah[a] gives all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the Lord your God accept you.” 24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels[b] of silver for them. 25 David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered his prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped (niv). So as you can see David was not willing to offer a sacrifice to God that didn’t cost him something. That means it wasn’t cheap or it meant something special to David. So ask Christ what He wants for his birthday and give Him that. Just like you would do for any other birthday gift that you would buy. For example, He may ask you to spend more time with Him. If he does, put that time/day on your calendar and treat it like you would any other date or appointment that you don’t want to miss. Easy right?
- With your family, sit together and read a Christmas story in Luke 1:5-56 through Luke 2:1-20. It’s too long for me to insert here so I’ve included links for you, so all you have to do is just click on the scripture above.
- Make the focal point of your Christmas decorations the Nativity Scene. If you don’t have one, you can make one of your own! This will be a great project to do with your family and friends. Click here to get you started.
- Put together a group of your family and/or friends to go visit someone who may be alone during the holidays. Maybe someone in a nursing home or hospital or maybe an elderly or shut-in neighbor. That would really bless them and you as well! They don’t have to be the same faith as you. You are just there to show them the love of Christ.
- Forgive someone who hurt you. Now, don’t get excited. I’m not saying that what they did to you was OK. I’m saying you give yourself a gift when you give up your right to get them back. That’s God’s definition of forgiveness! This helps you release the pain and bitterness inside of you, and frees you to heal and move your life forward! God will take care of the person who hurt you and His revenge is better than yours! The bible makes it clear in Romans 12:19; 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord (niv).
- Lastly, include a single person or someone else who would be spending Christmas alone to spend it with you and your family. For example, an out of town college student who may be friends with one of your children or even someone from your church. Maybe even a neighbor. Ask God for direction in this.
These are just a few ways to get you started!
As I sit here watching a TV show about a holiday light competition (I love holiday lights) I see how many of them did not include Christ. So as a talked to God about it He reminded me that it doesn’t matter what others do, it only matters what I do. So it prompted me to review how I include Christ in my Christmas and my daily living. So let me know how you are keeping Christ in your Christmas!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Clarence D. Sellers Jr
I’ve had to forgive the person that hurt me, it was hard because it really hurt!!!!! God say’s forgive them and I have to do that for my sake. Thank you
again for your refining things. May God continue to keep and bless you and your family.