Traditionally, the Christmas season is filled with celebration and common symbols such as Christmas trees and wreaths, candy canes, presents, and mistletoe. Songs about Jack Frost, Santa Claus, and Jingle Bells fill the air. Parties are scheduled, travel plans are secured, and cupboards are stocked and ovens prepared for a busy baking season.
I’m sure you could think of lots of other traditions that add to the festivities of Christmas. All of them, when it comes down to it, are centered around life and love. In addition to being a time to spend with family and friends, many see Christmas as a time of blessing those who are less fortunate, or of coming alongside those who might be particularly lonely or hurting.
If we look at the big picture, we might notice there is something in the air at Christmas that seems to point to something much bigger than any one individual. What is it that causes people to be kinder, more charitable, more unified, and the world seemingly more at peace?
It’s not just the season. It’s the reason for the season that is behind it all.
A common symbol that appears at Christmastime is a nativity scene. No nativity scene would ever be complete without the baby, Jesus, in the manger. Neither is this life complete without Him, nor would there be any reason to celebrate. On this day, especially, we remember that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth to provide a way back to God’s presence.
Fully divine, Jesus Christ was God, manifested in flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). He was fully human, taking on our humanity so He could take our place and be put to death for sin, even though He remained sinless (1 Peter 2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). He left the perfection of Heaven and willingly became poor for us: “ For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). He came for to die for our sin and to rise from the dead to give us newness of life.
During Christmas, we don’t often spend time thinking about death! But without the death of Jesus, there wouldn’t be a reason for Christmas! We would still be dead in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17). However, the hope that we have in Christ is not complete in His death, but also in His resurrection.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).
From evergreens to manger scenes, the pictures and traditions of the Christmas season should remind us of the reason for the holiday, and for every day. When you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, you receive the gift of His Holy Spirit who will keep you and remind you of the hope of everlasting life (Ephesians 1:13-14).
This Christmas, remember the reason for the season. And find life and purpose for every season through faith in Jesus Christ!