Isn’t it thrilling that at this time of year, the whole world grinds to a halt to recognize the birth of the Christ-child? Even though most of the pomp and ceremony have more to do with man-made tradition, not Scriptural teaching. Nativity scenes are prevalent at this time of year as the world celebrates Christ’s coming. Shepherds, lambs, donkeys, Mary and Joseph, and the three wise men standing under a thatched roof gazing at a baby in the manger, and signs that say, “Peace on earth, good will toward men.”
We keep the Christ-child around to grace our mangers, but He is just one symbol among many: Rudolph, Santa and his elves, toy soldiers, little drummer boys, Yule logs, Christmas trees, and Jesus all vie for our attention. It almost seems as though there is nothing special about the Son of God, He’s just a part of the Yuletide clutter.
There are many Christmas story books and television shows. Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol” is probably the most read and best known. Ebenezer Scrooge, and the Cratchett family are characters that almost everyone knows about. Generations have grown up watching: “Frosty the Snowman;” “The Little Drummer Boy;” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas;” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer;” and “Grandma got run over by a reindeer.” Many children identify more with these fictitious characters than they do with the One who’s birthday we celebrate on Christmas, Jesus, the Son of God.
Christmas is a big business, and it brings out huge crowds and a lot of profit. Our culture has reduced this sacred holiday to cartoons, stereotypes and profit machines. The real Christmas story is lost in the clutter.
It is impossible even for an Atheist to deny that a baby born in a Bethlehem manger changed the world and revolutionized the thinking of every generation since. The birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ is the central point of history, the apex of our past and the touchstone of our future. Even the timeline of our world is divided by Jesus Christ. The real story of Christmas can only be found in the Bible! “And Christ became a human being and lived here on earth among us…” (John 1:14).
Please make CHRIST the centerpiece of your CHRISTmas!
