LUKE 2.10,11 for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ The Lord.
We are soon to enter the Christmas season, a time of incredible advertising and merchandising blitzes on television, Internet and mailings. But have you noticed in recent years a steady regression in what Christmas is all about? Oh, I know that some will say to me that Christmas in December is pagan and unbiblical. Be that as it may, the fact is, Christ was born. His birth is a cause of great celebration. Wasn’t that the atmosphere that is described in the account of His birth in Luke? Heavenly hosts singing!
I for one am pretty disgusted over all the commercialization of Christmas that is so contrary to the spirit of worship that the birth of Christ represents. I do believe that giving is the spirit of God, but not coveting. What did Jesus come to give us? Among other things, He came to give us the joy of knowing the forgiveness of our sin. A forgiveness that wipes away the penalty and condemnation of our sin. A forgiveness that assures us a place in heaven. Now THAT is worth celebrating, not only in December, but throughout the year. Why am I talking about Christmas when we have not even celebrated Thanksgiving yet? Because the malls and stores and television are starting their campaigns of buy this or buy that.
Let’s look for ways to capitalize on the season. Let’s look for ways to redeem the opportunities to proclaim the reason for the birth of Jesus Christ. There is a serious joy shortage in the world. A joy that cannot be bought or sold. A joy that can only come from The Savior, Jesus Christ. May the body of Christ invade the malls and stores this year like a spiritual tsunami, declaring the goodness, grace and joy of Jesus! Joy to the world, The Lord had come!
