What's So Merry About Christmas?

What’s so Merry about Christmas? Was Scrooge right about Christmas? Is there simply too much “Bah Humbug” in the world? We have all been told about the stress and related disorders that are associated with the holiday season. Then of course, it isn’t politically correct to say “Merry Christmas” any more. After all, Christmas should be Christ centered. We don’t want to offend anyone that does not recognize Jesus as Lord….now do we? Or should we?

I am going to do it! I purpose to be offensive! I am going to proudly declare that I am a believer and that Jesus is the Reason for the Season! I will say “Merry Christmas” and not apologize. You and I look at the manger scenes with Mary and Joseph; the sleeping baby; shepherds, animals, angels. All of it is so meaningful and beautiful to us. In fact, even the secular world knows about these things. People who aren’t regulars at worship services usually attend Christmas Eve services. All well and good. We like that. We sing Silent Night, Holy Night. Peace came into the world! Right? ….Wrong!

The Lord himself said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division” (Luke 12:51 NIV). So there you have it. Those who accept Him as Lord and those who don’t. The birth of Christ is so much more than the manger scene….it is the beginning of God’s entrance into the human family experience. It is the willingness of God to expose Himself to the total vulnerability of being human….which is at the heart of the incarnation.

He is God "made flesh" (John 1:14; cf. Philippians 2:5-8). What does that mean to us? The sinfulness of man and all its ramifications will now be brought out in a clear picture of a God/man who was sinless (1 Peter 2:21-22; cf. Isaiah 53:9; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 John 3:5). All of our weaknesses and inability to obey God’s purposes will now be made clear.

In Matthew 2:16, is it recorded that Herod ordered the death of all baby boys under two years of age. A mindless and bloody atrocity took place at the birth of Jesus. After reading the story, we are not caught unaware of the human potential for terror that shows its ugly face again on Calvary. A bloody beginning and a bloody end! This birth will lead to the only solution for mankind….the Cross (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). We cannot view His birth without looking at the cross. That’s the real reason for the season!

May all the blessings of this season be with you and yours, knowing that these blessings may be found only "in Him" (Ephesians 1:3). —Barbara Hyland

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets