Churches tend to become theatrical about Christmas, spending thousands of dollars on products and giving many those wonderful warm fuzzies. I'm not against doing some of that, but I do believe that if all the churches spending all that money on Christmas productions would send that money to the International Mission Board there would not be a deficient of funds needed to send missionaries into this world to reach the lost of this world to Christ. If Christians just did what the Bible teaches us to do, we would win our "world" to Him, and would not have to hold "one day above another."
We must remember that Christmas is the only holiday not mentioned in the Bible. Now the birth of Christ is, but, Scripture indicates His birth was probably in the late summer or in the fall, for the Shepherds were still out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks. Nowhere is it mentioned of glitter, bright colored lights, gifts under a beautiful tree, stockings hanging over the hearth, or even a desire of the Lord for us to worship on a special day (Christmas=the worship of Christ). Yet, we have succeeded in making Christmas the grandest day of the year.
Should we worship the birth of our Lord? I think we should learn some lessons from the Bible. Shepherds (Lk.2:15-20), upon being told of the Savior's Birth, left their flocks and went into Bethlehem to confirm that which the angels had told them, returning they praised God for what they had heard and seen. Simeon (Lk. 2:25-35), a priest in the Temple, gave thanks for being allowed the expressed privilege of seeing the "Hope of Israel". He now was ready to depart this world because the promise of God was fulfilled to him. Truly there was something worth to worship which he had experienced. Anna (Lk. 2:36-38), identified the Christ child as the Redeemer to all in the Temple. What a testimony she had. And, then in Matt. 2, the Magi came and worshiped the Christ child (age of about two years). These Biblical examples give evidence that what is truly appropriate for Believers to do regarding Christ's birth, is to Worship the Lord who transcends time. God was no different then as He was "In the beginning;" and, He was no different than He would be when Jesus died on the Cross; or, when He comes again to receive us unto Himself. I think our attitude should be that of worship and praise that a Sovereign God would love us so much He would condescend to take upon Himself the flesh of man (yet without sin); die upon a cross for which all men should have to do but don't, because, of Who He is; and, be willing to forgive us for all our unrighteousness so that we might live eternally with Him in His Presence. If our Christmas Day is of any importance or significance, it is to be a reminder of just one part of the Redemption story.
May we all stop and worship Him for our personal redemption.
In His Service
