Near the end of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” Dr Suess’s beloved Christmas tale, the Grinch sees the Who’s in Whoville react to his thievery and loss of their carefully prepared Christmas “ingredients” in a way he did not anticipate. It starts his redemption. As he stands astounded, he says, “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
That’s a great perspective for us to consider. What IS the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey or ham dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? The poem A Visit from St. Nicholas (1822) helped popularize the tradition of exchanging gifts, and seasonal Christmas shopping began to assume economic importance. Is all of this really Christmas?
Christmas is multi-faceted. We must acknowledge that for many people Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don't have money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. That big dinner may only be a dream for some. Some know this will be the last Christmas, either for them or someone they love. Others are deeply missing people who have died. Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons, and others from whom they are estranged who will not come home.
Regardless of the tangible elements that make either happiness or sadness easy to come by at Christmas, Christmas was intended to be, and CAN BE, a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.
The true meaning of Christmas is the love of God for us. John 3:16-17 NIV says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love, God leaving heaven and becoming a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. Why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! Why was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Savior! Why does God love us so much? Because He is love itself (1 John 4:8).
Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshipping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate. This spirit is embodied in a definition of the "the true meaning of Christmas" found in The American magazine, volume 28, from 1889: "To give up one's very self – to think only of others – how to bring the greatest happiness to others – that is the true meaning of Christmas."
God set the example. He loved us and provided a way – the only Way – for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take the punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 NIV).
With this in mind, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. Sure, enjoy the season but remember to rejoice as well! After all, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of God's ultimate gift: the birth of Jesus, the Christ child. We can truly experience joy at Christmas and every other day. Happiness is fickle and dependent on circumstances. Joy is a deeply settled constant when we know we belong to God. 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 received Jesus Christ as your Lord and King. 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.
As long as I have been alive, my family has had a tradition that keeps us very aware of the “more” of Christmas. Before the gifts are opened, before the family scatters, we rejoice together by reading the Christmas story from Matthew 1:18-24 and Luke 2:1-20. It is a highlight of the day every year. This is a great tradition to start if you don’t do it already. It will fill your heart and also give a witness to all who are with you celebrating Christmas.
Christmas IS more. Not just a little bit more. Jesus is the reason for the season and the reason for joy.
Christmas Eve services are Sunday, December 24, at 9 AM, 11 AM, & 1 PM at all of our campuses. Don’t miss out on this incredible experience.