With Christmas right around the corner, I should be feeling more of the Christmas spirit… I should be awaiting the day, barely able to breathe because of my excitement about Christ’s birth. I should….but I’m not.
Instead, I am angry. Replacing the joy that I should be feeling about the birth of Christ, is exasperation over what people perceive to be Christmas. You know what I’m talking about…the bright lights, the Santa on every street corner jingling his bell and saying “ho, ho, ho”, and the general mishmash of lawn scenes—the nativity with the three wise men, blow-up snow globes, shepherds tending their reindeer, and Santa-the angel of the Lord bringing good tidings of great joy….
Yes, I know I’m the Grinch, intent on stealing the Christmas spirit from others, especially small children…but…I wonder…would people love Christmas just as much if Santa weren’t a part of it…if the presents to unwrap were moved to a different day, and Christ was the only reason for celebration on the 25th? Somehow I don’t think our society would pause for celebration…
As the 25th draws close, I urge you to think about the real reason for celebration…the miracle that happened so long ago. Christmas shouldn’t be about whether you can still “hear the bells” or what is under the tree; rather it should be about your belief in Jesus Christ.
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”-Mark 9:24
I believe in a sovereign God who created the universe and therefore has a right to call the shots. I believe he is a God of love and kept promises. I believe that he chose to suffer my personal punishment so that I can be united with God. I believe that God’s purpose for me, day by day, and moment by moment, is to direct me to be more like Jesus. I believe that loving one another as Jesus loved us will help us to overcome the evil that surrounds us. I believe in forgiveness. I believe that we can make a difference in the world, by loving well and living in hope. I believe.
‘All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”’—Matthew 1:22-23
Instead, I am angry. Replacing the joy that I should be feeling about the birth of Christ, is exasperation over what people perceive to be Christmas. You know what I’m talking about…the bright lights, the Santa on every street corner jingling his bell and saying “ho, ho, ho”, and the general mishmash of lawn scenes—the nativity with the three wise men, blow-up snow globes, shepherds tending their reindeer, and Santa-the angel of the Lord bringing good tidings of great joy….
Yes, I know I’m the Grinch, intent on stealing the Christmas spirit from others, especially small children…but…I wonder…would people love Christmas just as much if Santa weren’t a part of it…if the presents to unwrap were moved to a different day, and Christ was the only reason for celebration on the 25th? Somehow I don’t think our society would pause for celebration…
As the 25th draws close, I urge you to think about the real reason for celebration…the miracle that happened so long ago. Christmas shouldn’t be about whether you can still “hear the bells” or what is under the tree; rather it should be about your belief in Jesus Christ.
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”-Mark 9:24
I believe in a sovereign God who created the universe and therefore has a right to call the shots. I believe he is a God of love and kept promises. I believe that he chose to suffer my personal punishment so that I can be united with God. I believe that God’s purpose for me, day by day, and moment by moment, is to direct me to be more like Jesus. I believe that loving one another as Jesus loved us will help us to overcome the evil that surrounds us. I believe in forgiveness. I believe that we can make a difference in the world, by loving well and living in hope. I believe.
‘All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”’—Matthew 1:22-23
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