Monday, December 3, 2007

"Tis the Season"...or so they say!


The Christmas season is officially here and as a believer I ask myself this question:

If Christmas "tis the season to be jolly", as the secular song goes, then why are there so many unhappy, frantic, stressed out people running through Walmart and the local shopping malls with apparently no joy, no peace, and no genuine anticipation of this great day of celebration?

That is a long question so allow me to break it down as I see it from a biblical perspective. First, Christians and non-Christians have lost sight of why there is a Christmas celebration every year. When the perfect Son of God, Jesus Christ, who is the true reason for this celebratory occasion, has been removed from the season, then there is no reason for joy or peace or celebration. Acts 4:10-12 says, " It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Second, the Christ of Christmas came to this world to testify to the truth. John 18:37 reads, "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the Truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." When we become caught up in the activity and stress of a "holiday" we are buying a lie from Satan that sets itself up against the true knowledge of Jesus Christ who is Truth and came to testify and bear witness to Truth. When "holiday" stress moves in to confuse and exhaust us then we are buying into Satan's lies that dilute and mask the Truth of Christmas.

As you prepare for this season of celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, please I implore you to not buy into the lies of Satan who wants to confuse you, stress you out,cause pain and rob your joy.

Purpose in your heart to proclaim the Truth as Christ did and desire above all of the hustle and bustle of the season to give Christ alone the preeminent place in your heart, your home and your holiday!

1 comment:

Dianne said...

Reminds me of a fabulous sermon we heard Sunday morning...to focus on Jesus! Great post!