by George Bradley
Christmas means different things to people. There are numerous variations and traditions, if it is observed at all. Many newcomers to our culture must wonder what it is all really about. Hardly surprisingly, for the message has gotten very mixed up.
To a materialistic secular culture, this is the prime time for retailers. During this season (which seemingly starts earlier each year), advertisers bombard us through every media. The underlying tone seems to be that we are entitled to be spoiled. The promoted message is to let others know what you want, and if you are disappointed on the 24th, or discontent on the 25th, then be sure to take it back for what you really want on the 26th (unless you have to wait for all the “Boxing Day,” “Boxing Week,” or “boxing” to subside before exchanges and returns are allowed).
Consumers are pressured to spend more than they have, to provide others what is not needed, or hardly appreciated. When the hype and hangovers diminish, people may yet feel hollow, as post-holiday depression and regrets are all too common.
Many people sense that there must be something more to it than Santa’s, mistletoe, eggnog, turkey, trees, malls, lineups, parties, lights, gifts and credit card bills. Surely this is not what God has in mind.
The true essence, after all, is not found in the oft-mentioned “spirit of Christmas” but in the Spirit of Christ. I think the cause of the seasonal malaise for many is that God is hardly even brought to mind. Indeed Jesus is easily overlooked.
To illustrate this, consider a 900-page volume whose publisher currently proclaims it to be a “comprehensive coverage of the key figures and events of world history.” Jesus does not even merit a listing. Does that not strike you as preposterous?
Perhaps if it had been published in China, where the government ardently encourages citizens to embrace atheism as official state dogma, it wouldn’t be such a shock. But this was a “Dictionary of World History’ whose editors were all from Great Britain. (The irony is that though the church is in decline under the “freedoms” of the UK, the church in China and some other “oppressive nations” is presently seeing explosive growth.)
The only sane conclusion for this blatant omission is to consider that Jesus was obviously downplayed deliberately, left out of the central prominence he deserves. This is hardly anything new, however; it was that way at the first Advent, too. In fact, his Divine Father contributed to it. The Bible tells us how humbly God stepped into the confines of time and space, wrapped in humanity, even to the point of being a helpless newborn.
If that was not incognito enough, the added marvel was though he was of genuine royal descent in the lineage of King David, he did not come to reign in a palace. He was not the obvious son of nobility, wealth and power. Jesus grew and lived humbly among the common and even abject people. These were the ones who received his message and miracles gladly. He taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The true wonder of Christmas is missed unless the purpose of his life is comprehended. That is not achieved without perceiving the significance of who he is and what he accomplished by his death and resurrection. This meaning needs to be known-or why bother with any commemoration and celebration at all?
John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus stood before Pilate and declared, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.”
I hope you will hear his voice. I encourage you to look for Jesus; there is no real Christmas without him.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
George Bradley is pastor of Liberty Christian Assembly, Red Deer, Alberta.
Editor’s Note: This article was prepared for readers of a public newspaper and was originally published by the FCA on December 24th, 2005
