It is so easy to get swept up in the craziness of Christmas, the songs and decorations, the presents, the holidays, chances to catch up with family, the Boxing Day sales…all of it.
Don’t hear me wrong, each of these things in and of themselves aren’t bad, but it is when we get so distracted by these things that we don’t remember the true meaning of Christmas that these things slip from being good things to bad things.
Actually, when we think about it, each of these things are great reminders about God and what he has done for us in sending His son.
The songs and the decorations can remind us of celebration and treating God as worthy of celebrating – this is called giving Him praise.
(Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. – Psalm 95:1-2)
The presents can remind us of the greatest gift ever! That Jesus was sent into the world to save us from sin.
(For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 1:8-9)
The holidays remind us of the true rest that we can find in our hearts, minds and souls in coming to Jesus.
(For my yoke is easy and my burden is light – Matt 11:30).
Family reunions can remind us that we have another family, God’s family that we have been adopted into, which now includes Jesus and other Christians (our brother and sisters) united in Christ.
(Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. – John 1:12-13)
The Boxing Day sales can remind us that God’s gift of Jesus is not just a gift that requires our attention for one-day-of-the-year, or once even for one-day-of-a-week, but it is a gift that continues on and we should always remember.
(Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced… – 1 Chronicles 16:11-12)
So as you head into Christmas this year, look around and notice that there are reminders about God and what He has done everywhere! But more than just notice them, how about you share with someone how the things we regularly see at Christmas can carry a deeper meaning.
Are there any other things about Christmas that you’ve noticed can remind you about God?