The Reason

I remember when it seemed like Christmas had real meaning to it.  People went out and sang carols and the reason for the season really meant something.  There was anticipation in people’s hearts whether you were a believer or not and Jesus was truly exalted and it was celebrated as the birth of Christ.  But little by little Christmas has become so commercialized it can seem like just another day where people get presents and Jesus gets very little thought.  

If you think very rationally about it, Jesus was the greatest gift that we could have received!!  I know that the day we celebrate isn’t the real day of His birth, but all who celebrate it for the right reason do it as a reminder that a Savior was born in Bethlehem and want to honor Him and celebrate His birth at this time of year.  The angels proclaimed His birth and the shepherds sought Him out, following a star that was provided for them, to where he was so that they could worship Him and not to receive a gift from Him.  We have got this backwards, we receive the gifts and what does the Lord receive?    From many He receives nothing more than lip service, even mockery and slander and profanity.  To many it is a day to get off work and get drunk or get high and to party with no thought of the real meaning of why we celebrate Christmas.  Is it really about all the lights, the tinsel, the trees and Santa?  Not at all, in fact these can be just a diversion away from the real meaning of Christmas.  

Think about this, what do many of the children, and maybe even some grownups, think about on Christmas Eve?  They think about Santa and his reindeer and all the gifts that they will receive in the morning.  When I was young I would get an orange or an apple, I can’t remember any Christmas gifts and I was probably just as happy as the kids today are that get most of what they want.  How many couples go into debt at this time of year and end up fighting over their financial situation the rest of the year?  Some are so miserable, but when the season comes around again they are right back where they were the year before, spending money to try to keep their kids happy.  It is like a merry-go-round year after year.

I heard this on the radio the other day, “Enjoy the season, but don’t forget the reason.”  Jesus is the reason for the season.  You hear people saying, “Happy Holidays,” quite often, hog wash; it is and always has been, “Merry Christmas.”  It is just their way of taking Christ out of Christmas!!  This is the real reason true believers celebrate Christmas, read Luke 2:1-20:

Now it happened in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the world’s inhabitants. This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone was traveling to be registered in his own city. Now Joseph also went up from the Galilee, out of the town of Natzeret to Judah, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family of David. He went to register with Miriam, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. But while they were there, the time came for her to give birth— and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped Him in strips of cloth and set Him down in a manger, since there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in the same region, living out in the fields and guarding their flock at night. Suddenly an angel of Adonai stood before them, and the glory of Adonai shone all around them; and they were absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! For behold, I proclaim Good News to you, which will be great joy to all the people. A Savior is born to you today in the city of David, who is Messiah the Lord. And the sign to you is this: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly a multitude of heavenly armies appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth shalom to men of good will.’ And when the angels departed from them into the heavens, the shepherds were saying to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which Adonai has made known to us!’ So they hurried off and found Miriam and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the word that had been spoken to them concerning this Child. And all those who heard were amazed at the things the shepherds told them. But Miriam treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.”

Jesus came as a Lamb to save His people, but when they rejected Paul’s message about Him, Paul went to the Gentiles to share the good news with them, praise the Lord!!  Without Christ, man would be in his lost, sinful condition forever.  Read John 3:17, “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

This is the reason Jesus was born; He came to give his life a ransom for all who would believe and to set the captive free.  So if you are in bondage or if you want to have a personal relationship with the Lord, who came to earth for that purpose, then repent of your sins and ask Him to forgive you and to be your Lord and Savior, take your time and let the Lord fill you with His perfect peace, love and joy and, if you are sincere, I believe you will be born-again; then start growing in your new faith.  Find a church where you can start having fellowship with other believers and grow in the Lord.  I hope this has been a blessing to you and that you have a super day.  May the good Lord bless you and yours!!