“I’ve waited all Autumn for Winter to come, I have watched the dark evenings surrounding the sun. I have lighted my fire, the Season’s begun. because Christmas is with us again, yes Christmas is with us again,
The fine decorations, they light up the town
It is crowded and bustling with thousands around
And it’s all a big business, though profits are down
And Christmas is with us again
Yes, Christmas is with us again
And it’s tatty and tawdry and shabby and stale
And the spirit of Christmas is lined with fine ales
And we spend all our money, complain at the price
Forgetting the reason, the birth of the Christ
But we’re swimming in seasonal goodwill and cheer
It’s the finest, the very best time of the year
And we’re bound to enjoy it all now that it’s here
Now that Christmas is with us again!
Yes, Christmas is with us again!
And it’s tatty and tawdry and shabby and stale
And the spirit of Christmas is lined with fine ales
And we spend all our money, complain at the price
Forgetting the reason, the birth of the Christ
I have waited all autumn to celebrate birth
When the one Son of God became flesh on this earth
But we’re milking the season for all it is worth
And Christ is forgotten again
Yes, Christ is forgotten again
And Christ is forgotten again
Let’s remember Christ this Christmas!
(Lyrics by Eden’s Bridge-‘Celtic Christmas’
Let’s remember Christ this Christmas!
It’s that time of year again, my favorite time of the year, highlighted with the joys of Christmas. For many of us it is seen in gifts under the tree, for others, lights in the windows, Nativity scenes on display, maybe cards in the mail, dinners with family and friends, and shouts of ‘Merry Christmas’ to those who pass is in the street.
Whether you’re young, old, rich or poor; whether you work at a factory or in an office building, it’s time to slow down and reflect on what Christmas means to us and perhaps take a closer look at the true meaning of Christmas.
Sadly, we are living in confusing times, where celebration of Christmas isn’t what it seemed to be.
One thing I have taken notice of this year is how much more the world has distanced themselves from any symbols of Christmas joy. Shopping malls, local shops that used to have all those goofy painted messages on their storefronts are no where to be seen this year; instead being replaced with ‘Black Friday’ buying frenzies without the need for Christmas reminders and just what it all means. Is this really Christmas?
For many people this year Christmas will be a time of sorrow. I know for Patty and I, we are mourning the loss of Patty’s father, Hugo just a couple of weeks ago. Another friend just last week loss his son. No doubt these are difficult junctions in our lives that affect all activities going on around us.
Even though we may see many people driving 80,000 SUV’S and living fancy lifestyles, it’s a reminder that this is not ‘norm’, There are families that don’t have ‘extra monies’ to meet the demand of buying presents, leading some to spend money they don’t have.
And yet Christmas can be a Season of great joy, by simply getting off the ‘train going nowhere’ with all it’s commercialism and take another look at the most amazing gift in life, here and hereafter. That ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.‘
And so, what then can be said for the meaning of Christmas this year, 2016? How can I be expected to have joy in the midst of it all, when the world has said, No to the love and joy expressed in celebration of Christmas?
Christmas can be a season of great joy when we pause and examine what God has done for us to overcome the drudgery of this hectic, loss, empty life on earth. God gave Jesus that we would have life! What a statement. And yet so profound, when it’s all said and done what is the true meaning of Christmas? That we would have the joy that we have been given a Savior in Jesus who gives us life and joy to begin living it now.
Christmas is when we put all the trappings of Christmas-like joy and celebrate the greatest gift, the birth of Jesus Christ. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, Wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement that night of knowing and experiencing the birth of the greatest event in history! You have to know that they knew this was no ‘ordinary’ baby, but one that Old Testament prophets had wrote about hundreds of years before His coming.
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And so the real meaning of Christmas is the story unfolding of God’s becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ fulfilling His promise in Genesis 22:8 when Abraham said to Issac, his son, that ‘God will provide Himself a sacrifice for the sins of the world.’ God provided a way….He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins, paying the price in full, and as a result we who believe, are now free from condemnation when we accept the free gift of His love expressed in His own work through His grace. “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Should Christians celebrate Christmas?
There is a debate among ‘believers’ about whether or not Christians should even be celebrating Christmas. Actually it’s not something new but has been raging on for….centuries. It should be noted that there are equally sincere thoughts on both sides, each raising reasons why, or why not believers should or shouldn’t be celebrating Christmas; but what does the Bible say? Do our Bibles give us any clear direction as to what to do, how to respond.
The debate about whether or not Christians should celebrate Christmas has been raging for centuries. There are equally sincere and committed Christians on both sides of the issue, each with multiple reasons why or why not Christmas should be celebrated in Christian homes. But what does the Bible say? Does the Bible give clear direction as to whether Christmas is a holiday to be celebrated by Christians?
First, let’s look at the reasons why some Christians do not celebrate Christmas. One argument against Christmas is that the traditions surrounding the holiday have Origins in Paganism.
Searching for reliable information on this topic is difficult because the origins of many of our traditions are so obscure that sources often contradict one another. Bells, candles, holly, and yuletide decorations are all mentioned in the history of pagan worship, but the use of such in one’s home certainly does not indicate a return to paganism.
While there are definitely pagan roots to some traditions, there are many more traditions associated with the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of the Savior of the world in Bethlehem.
Arguments against celebrating Christmas
Bells are played to ring out the joyous news, candles are lit to remind us that Christ is the Light of the world. (John 1:4-9)
A star is placed on the top of a Christmas tree to remember the Star of Bethlehem.
Gifts are exchanged to remind us of the gifts of the Magi to Jesus, the greatest gift of God to mankind.
Another argument against Christmas, having a Christmas tree, is that according to Jeremiah 10:1-16, the Bible forbids bringing trees into our homes and decorating them, refers to cutting down trees, chiseling the wood to make an idol, and then decorating the idol with silver and gold for the purpose of bowing down before it to worship it. However, reading the context of the passage we see it is a difficult argument against Christmas trees.
There are Christians who choose to ignore Christmas to the fact that the Bible doesn’t give us the date of Christ’s birth, which is certainly true. December 25 may not be even close to the time Jesus was born. In fact arguments on both sides are more alike than not.
Some relate the 1. Climate in Israel 2.The practices of shepherds in winter and 3. the dates of Roman census-taking. None of these points are without a certain amount of merit, which brings us back to the fact that the Bible really doesn’t tell us when Jesus was born. Some see this as proof positive that God didn’t want us to celebrate the birth, while others see the Bible’s silence on the issue as tacit approval.
There are some Christians that say since the world celebrates Christmas—although it is becoming more and more politically correct to not celebrate it as Christmas but refer to it as “the holidays”—Christians should avoid it. But that is the same argument made by false religions that deny Christ altogether, as well as cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses who deny His deity. Those Christians who do celebrate Christmas often use the occasion as an opportunity to proclaim Christ as “the reason for the season” among the nations and to those trapped in false religions.
As we examine the Biblical facts we see that there really is no legitimate scriptural reason not to celebrate Christmas. At the same time, there is no biblical mandate to celebrate it, either.
In the end, of course, whether or not to celebrate Christmas is a personal decision. Whatever Christians decide to do regarding Christmas, their views should not be used as a club with which to beat down or denigrate those with opposing views, nor should either view be used as a badge of honor inducing pride over celebrating or not celebrating. As in all things, we seek wisdom from Him who gives it liberally to all who ask (James 1:5) and accept one another in Christian love and grace, regardless of our views on Christmas.
That said, Patty and I sat down this past week to gear up for the Christmas Season. We enjoy the inspiration behind several of our favorite Christmas Specials to ‘kick off’ the season. Beginning with ‘It’s a Wonderful Life, followed by ‘The Nativity’ and then ‘Charlie Brown Christmas Special.’ Back in ‘the day’ I recall looking forward to seeing these every December.
“It’s A Wonderful Life“
All throughout It’s a Wonderful Life, George Bailey makes a lasting impact on people. For better or worse, every person impacts the lives of those around them.
Your life has purpose
“Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” says the angel Clarence to George Bailey. One of the obvious points of the film is that, without George around, so many things would have been different. We learn that Bedford Falls, for example, would have been Pottersville. Of course, Zuzu and the other children would never have been born.
But the impact would have stretched far beyond this small town. “George saved his brother’s life that day,” says the ‘angel Joseph’, recalling when George’s younger brother Harry fell through the ice of a frozen pond. Years later, Harry would become a war hero, saving the lives of others. The point is, we have no idea how significantly our lives affect others.
But that’s only part of the reason to value your life. Aside from serving others, our lives should be viewed as a gift. As the ‘angel Franklin’ notes, “At exactly 10:45 p.m. tonight, Earth time, that man will be seriously thinking of throwing away God’s greatest gift.” If you’re just ‘living out your life’ and forgetting the hope and future God has given you, sometimes He will use a movie like this to help turn your perspective around, at what really matters at Christmas.
The Nativity Story
This film is amazing, both from a biblical standpoint and an artistic one. Other than “The Passion…,” I’ve not seen biblical films that felt like big screen productions. Reverent is the best word I can use to describe this movie. I just want to say, we were moved in our hearts, and you could sense the Holy Ghost awakening in your spirit at different times during the movie. I wanted us to see this film to set the tone for our Christmas season of celebrating the birth of our Lord, the Christ! I’m going to rate this film as excellent, in spite of the late biblical omissions (only errors if the writer intentionally deceived). People need to learn what Christmas is really about! I say this because we will be very fortunate to see a film about Jesus, and our worship of him, made with quality and accuracy, again in my lifetime! The devil can’t be happy about this movie! We loved it, and will use it to keep the focus of our Christmas season celebration on the true reason for the season, Jesus! “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
An excellent, excellent movie! Painstakingly paying attention to detail, you feel transported into the times when the birth of Christ took place. For the most part, it doesn’t stray too far from the Bible, and where it does, it’s not going to make or break the positive impact of the movie. The nativity is a reverent portrayal of the birth of Christ. Sometimes I feel that too often, the evangelical church has become a little too familiar with God and lack the reverence that the Catholic church has maintained.
Finally, we have a movie that shows the true meaning of Christmas. Forget all the rubbish movies that Hollywood has churned out over the years this time of year, this is a movie to see this Christmas! The story starts well, setting the scene with a verse from Jeremiah, which revolves around the prophecy of Jesus’s birth
I found the movie simply Amazing! It brought me right into the story. I felt like I was there. They paid tremendous attention to historical detail in the actors, the dialogue, the settings, the music. I was there, up close and personal, with Mary and her parents and Joseph and all of those involved. I am very impressed.
The ‘Charlie Brown Christmas Special’ for me was one of my favorites. Upon release Network executives, were not at all keen on several aspects of the show, forcing writers, Charles Schulz and Ray Melendez to wage some serious battles to preserve their vision. Evidently the executives did not want to have one of the characters, Linus reciting the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke; they assumed that viewers would not want to sit through passages of the King James Version of the Bible. Happily, there was a story reported on a documentary about the making of the program stated that Charles Schulz was adamant about keeping this scene in, remarking, “If we don’t tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?”
This spoke volumes to me as I was preparing this Christmas edition of Walking the Berean Road. Marty, if you don’t tell the true meaning of Christmas….who will?
The best place to start is right there in Luke 2:9-11...
“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to unto them, ‘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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Three easy observations here.
1. God brings Good News in a time where hope can’t be found.
2. God brings this hope, to all people.
3. God brought Good News that we have help in the Name
of Jesus, who will deliver us from whatever is opposed against you, whenever you call Him for this Good News.
Indeed, we are living in perilous times. We seem surrounded at every side; do this, where that, become this, a form of good news, until we stop and realize, we need something this Christmas more durable, reliable, trustworthy. Yes, the true meaning of Christmas this year is wrapped up all in Jesus! You see, He really is….the reason for the season!
I couldn’t think of a better ‘true meaning of Christmas’ than that delivered by Linus, of Charlie Brown fame. Patty and I hope you enjoy these video clips from, ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ as you and your families all across the world celebrate Christmas time this year.
The opening scenes begin with a Charlie Brown who just can’t get a handle on the true meaning of Christmas, and it takes his close friend, Linus, to bring reason for the ‘down and out’ feelings Charlie Brown is experiencing. Linus to Charlie Brown: “Among all the Charlie Browns in this world, you’re the ‘Charlie Browniest!’
Linus, doesn’t seem to agree with Charlie Brown’s choice, but Charlie Brown is absolutely convinced that with a little decorating, the tree will be just right for the Christmas Play.
Finally, Charlie Brown and Linus get back to the auditorium where everyone was gathered to practice the play. As Charlie Brown enters with the tree, everyone begins to laugh uncontrollably at what Charlie Brown had brought back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CojUP5nRidA
Charlie Brown , reaching the end of the rope on his search for the true meaning of what Christmas was all about, begins to wonder if he really understood himself what Christmas was all about
Up steps Linus, blankie and all, telling Charlie Brown, that he knew what Christmas was all about, he begins reciting by heart, from the Gospel of Luke Chapter 2 :8-14.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQeKdvXliIU&feature=player_detailpage
“‘8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.'”
“…That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
Charlie Brown quietly picks up the little tree and walks out of the auditorium, intending to take the tree home to decorate and show the others it will work in the play.
On the way, he stops at Snoopy’s decorated doghouse, which now sports a first prize blue ribbon for winning the display contest. He puts an ornamental ball on the top of his tree; the branch, with the ball still on it, promptly flops over to one side instead of remaining upright, prompting Charlie Brown to declare “I’ve killed it” and runs off in disgust at his perpetual failure, of him finding the true meaning of what Christmas is all about.
The rest of the gang follows Charlie Brown quietly followed from the auditorium. Linus goes up to the tree and gently props the drooping branch back to its upright position, wrapping his security blanket around the tree.
After they add the remaining decorations from Snoopy’s doghouse to the tree, the kids then start humming ” Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’.
When Charlie Brown sees what they have done with the tree, he is surprised and the kids give him a Christmas greeting before singing the song, as Charlie Brown joins in.
Why did He come? Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.
Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. We can know that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over.
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9 (NLT)
We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.
Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a “Merry Christmas.” The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!
Copyright © 2007 Martha Noebel. Used by permission.
Walking the Berean Road 