What is Christmas?
The atmosphere is charged with holiday havoc, but for the believer, we see, hear, and experience a little more, even the very presence of God. The early Christians who met secretly and made their fisherman’s mark at their places of worship to identify their allegiance to Christ also did something rather ingenious, they took advantage of the days the heathen would take to celebrate to their heathen deities and transformed this time of the year into celebration of their Savior’s birth. In regality, therefore, the celebration of Christmas, at this time of the year shows forth Christ’s victory over the world! Most people cannot tell you what the original 25th day of December meant, but you would not have to travel far to discover one person who does not know what the 25th day of December now commemorates, i.e., the birth of Christ.
Let’s consider three elements that help create this atmosphere called Christmas:
I. Christmas is Music
Years ago I attended a holiday concert put on by the Intermediate School where my child performed in the school band. As the band played I saw teachers looking across the cafetorium to give one another consenting nods, recognizing melodies from Christmases long ago.
When the band director announced they were going to play “Little Drummer Boy,” the school children clapped their hands with glee. Interesting, isn’t it, that school children in a secular school would be applauding the imaginary deed of a poor boy who gave all that he had to Jesus?
When I was younger I used to long to have the Christmas songs sung all through the year, but now I’m understanding that this is what “triggers” the emotions of Christmas. Psalm 100:2, “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”
II. Christmas is Moments
Forever, little wonderful moments will make Christmas the holiday. The moment of finding the tree, shaking the snow off its branches, and tying it on top of the car.
The moment the big book entitled The Night Before Christmas was pulled out, and as Dad read the kids moved their lips in memory.
The moment Mom began her Christmas baking and it was “beginning to smell like Christmas.”
The moment you made out your “wish list,” put it under the pillow and turned it into a prayer. The moment Dad pulled down the family Bible on Christmas Eve for the family devotions and read the Christmas story from Luke chapter two.
The moment forever frozen in time when you opened your eyes on Christmas morning. Need I say more? Christmas is moments just like these, and so many more. I Timothy 6:17, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”
III. Christmas is Memories
Christmas is family memories. It seemed when I was young was the best. As I got older it was good. When I married it improved, although not quite as good as when I was a child. When we had children, however, Christmas became great! Far better than when we were children. Why? Because Acts 20:35 is true, “I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Christmas is “Christ memory.” Before our Lord left this earth He left us a symbolical supper so that we would not forget Him. Luke 22:19, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” If you take the Christ out of Christmas, you have no Christmas. Let Him reign paramount in this season. Don’t forget Him. It’s His birthday we’re celebrating.
- Pastor Pope