Christmas – How and Why Do We Celebrate?

 In many homes the celebration of Christmas is more about “me” than Jesus. We gather together with family and friends, some putting forth great efforts, sometimes feeling worn out, put upon, and having to participate (and often tolerate) one event after another. I’m may be speaking just for myself, but by observation I see it in others as well. By Christmas day we can be exhausted, and some are discouraged and their emotions on edge.

The Christmas season is too often marked by sharp words, high emotions, and plain marital discord, and there is always a rise in separations and relationship crashes. Granted that the commercialism of the season has tainted us all; we see the traffic, feel the chill of winter and grey skies, crowded stores, endless gatherings, and forget HE IS GOD. The “why we celebrate” must be answered in those six words, HE IS GOD, we are not.

I think it’s well revealed in the following three simple passages of the Scriptures that are powerful wake up calls anytime of the year, and perhaps particularly at Christmas.

 Phil 2:5-11 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.    And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Col 1:16 “…for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created by Him and for Him

 Romans 10:9-10 …that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

While most Christians know that Christmas is tied to the Crucifixion and Resurrection, we often forget who Jesus is.   He is the mighty God, creator and ruler of ALL things, and intimately involved as well, with His Creation then and now, including our very lives.

Scriptures also tell us that much of this is evident to man in the creation, yet we become so caught up in the “us”, “me” and “stuff”, that we miss the real reason for celebration.

Shall we totally cease to celebrate Him and be caught up in ourselves and the whirlwind that is Christmas and celebrate instead of gifting, winter or something else the world leads us to, OR can we quietly in our hearts and actions call out to our God and Creator with renewed humble hearts, rejecting the worlds’ view and give adoration, praise, and honor that reveals an inner joy that comes from knowing Him?

Col 3:1 is a great and constant reminder of how we might celebrate Christmas, (and the other 364 days of the year):”Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

Keeping our mind on eternity, not the “things of earth”, we choose to celebrate the birth of the Son, who came to die that we might live. Our marriages thrive as we join together to more fully celebrate the birth of our Savior.