THE REAL CHRISTMAS

Over the years, Christmas festivities have been shaped (or reshaped) by several traditions as a result of which many have been left wondering what Christmas truly means. Just as I was writing this article, I saw a newspaper headline that read, “A drink, a doze and a family row: it's the official British Christmas” (Evening Standard, 02/12/09, p.13). Now that can't be right, can it? Is that what Christmas is all about? Well, sadly, to some people, yes.

Some think it has something to do with pagan worship, others think it is just another highly commercialized secular holiday; add to this the debate about the date of the celebration itself and concerns about whether God really sanctions the celebration, what is left is a confusion of meaning and significance. Consequently, there are some in the church who have concluded that it is wrong to celebrate Christmas.

The question therefore is what is Christmas? Is it okay to celebrate Christmas? What is the real significance of such a celebration?

“CHRISTMAS” is a compound word formed from CHRIST (Jesus' title meaning Messiah, Anointed One) and MASS (meaning loosely, religious celebration). That is, Christmas is “Christ's Mass”, “Celebration of Christ”. The celebration commemorates the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”- Isaiah 9:6

Now since there is no command to commemorate Christ’s birth as in the case of His death, it is purely up to the individual believer to make a decision of conscience how to respond. But here is the thing, the Bible neither encourages nor discourages us from celebrating Jesus' birth. So would it be a sin to affirm Christmas? I think not. A clear scriptural principle that must guide you, Christian, in everything that you do or choose not to do can be found in 1 Corinthians 10:31

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

I believe that celebrating Christ in this powerful and symbolic way is, among other things, an endeavour to reach out to the whole world with the same kind of ecstatic joy as the angel expressed on that Holy night when he announced to the shepherds:

“... Fear not: 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).

We celebrate Christ daily, what can be wrong with having an annual special celebration at Christmas? As long as we do so for the right reasons, the result can only "glorify" God. Indeed, l am convinced that what would dishonour God would be that we failed to take advantage of such an opportunity to highlight the incredible love of God. I believe that we limit God whenever we fail to “remember” His deeds, the birth of Christ inclusive. Failing to use this worldwide opportunity to focus minds on the real meaning of Christmas would be like scoring an own-goal.

Should Christians abandon Christmas because it has been hugely commercialized and tainted by traditions that have nothing to do with Christ? Certainly not! Again, if that were to happen, it would be a classic case of throwing the baby out with the bath water. We should keep the baby but change the water. Let’s keep the heart of the celebration and remove from it those traditions that do not point to the purpose of Christ’s birth! Strip away those offensive traditions that contaminate the real Christmas. Jesus said traditions of men make the word of God ineffectual.

Let us reclaim Christmas, restore its true meaning, re-telling the “good news of great joy” at Christmastime. My purpose in writing this is to encourage you, child of God, to do what you can wherever you are to help restore the true meaning and significance of Christmas.

The real significance of Christmas is not, and cannot be found in the “traditions” we have built into the celebrations but in the “person and purpose” of Christ our Lord only. After the eating and drinking and exchanging of gifts many people around us still do not know the real gift of Christmas!

The real meaning of Christmas is “lost in traditions of men”. During this Christmas, a lot of People will get caught up with “things and traditions”, spending more than they can afford, and in the end rob themselves of the very joy and peace that Christ embodies.

And the real tragedy is that there are many who hope for more than presents this Christmas, but don't even know that the real Christmas gift is Christ. At the heart of Christmas is Christ - God's gift to meet man’s greatest need!

Shine the light of Christ this Christmas! Give a gift that impacts someone's life. Some of the people to whom you traditionally give gifts at Christmas may not need that extra pair of socks, but there is someone somewhere who is in desperate need of the next meal! Think about those who really need help this Christmas.

Jesus said that He came for those who needed His help, not those who don't! (See Mark 2:17). Perhaps, you can agree with some of your friends and families not to buy each other gifts, but to pool that money together and be a blessing to those who can really do with the help.
At Christmastime, we have the greatest global outreach opportunity, an opportunity to tell the story of love, peace, joy and hope for all in practical ways.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” ( Luke 2:13-14).

So, this Christmas, I challenge you to put the heart of the story back in! Christmas has a real and important meaning and a powerful Christian message for our lives today. Let the message of love, joy, peace, and hope resound as we celebrate Christ – the Anointed One!