Yesterday, we went to church for Christmas Eve service. And the pastor put a twist on the message that I hadn\’t really considered before.
He asked \”How many of you believe that Jesus is the reason for the season?\”
Hands went up throughout the sanctuary.
And then the room when silent when he said, \”Jesus is NOT the reason for the season!\”
Now, I\’ve heard this man speak many times and believe that he has a pretty firm grasp on the Word of God.
So I was wondering how he would spin this. It took me a few seconds to realize where he was going… and I grinned.
He said that WE are the reason for the season. And he proceeded to make his point by playing a clip from \”A Charlie Brown Christmas\”, and highlighting this verse as quoted by Linus towards the end of the program…
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, \”Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. \”This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, \”Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men of good will whom He is pleased.\” – Luke 2:8-14
Notice that? Christ came for YOU… and for me.
Certainly, without Christ there is NO Christmas… regardless of what the world says.
But the reason He came was not for Himself.
No, my friends. What He did was done for us… for you and for me. So we could see what God is like. So He could communicate to us on a level that we mere mortals could understand. And so He could show His love to the point that He would lay down His life and die… so we could live.
I\’m a sucker for western civilization\’s way of celebrating Christmas.
I love the trees… I love the presents… I love the Grinch and Rudolph… I\’ve even got a place in my heart for dear old St. Nick.
But above all else, Christmas exists because of God\’s love… exhibited through his Son Jesus Christ… God\’s gift to the world.
God\’s gift to…..
you.
Merry Christmas!