I think Christmas should be celebrated year round. Not the presents and tinsel, but the remembrance of Christ's birth. For not since the moment of creation has something so profound happened! A Savior was born whose sole purpose is to guide us and to save us. Without this Savior our salvation is based on our ability to follow the law, but with Him we are graced by Love alone. The birth of Jesus Christ marks the beginning of a 33-year story that ripples reflections for eternity; the Word has become flesh, God appearing in a physically tangible form that brings sight to faith. Is once a year really enough? We celebrate our own birthdays once a year, but what have we accomplished in comparison to Jesus? Some might argue that we already take a month to celebrate Christmas, but this season is more about trees, presents, lights and family events than Jesus. In the time between Thanksgiving and New Years, how many Christ-only celebrations do you attend? How much extra time is devoted to prayers of thanks for His gift? On Christmas morning, do you reflect in prayer about His birth or do you reflect on the wrapping paper, food and football games? Truthfully, so do I. I LOVE the Christmas season, ALL of it, from the snow to the Charlie Brown specials! I encourage you, as I do, to enjoy everything about this season with all the trimmings. But remember that these seasonal extras do not satisfy the celebration we must have for the birth and life of our Savior... a celebration that should last the entire year.
The point of this is not to come down on traditional Christmas cheer (jingle away all ye reindeer), it's not saying you should go to church more often (chances are, you should), nor is it a way of telling you to thank God more often for sending us His son (we all must). My ploy us simply this: let's stop saving songs, stories and prayers of Christ's birth for the Christmas season. I'll concide a little, save them mostly for the season to keep it special... just don't be afraid to strike up a chorus of Joy to the World in June or lift your hearts with Silent Night in April, and sing Go Tell It On The Mountain whenever you can!
So this week, let all who are faithful, joyful and triumphant to come and behold Him, come and adore Him - Christ the Lord.
