The ‘Christ’ in ‘Christmas’.
When you think of the word ‘Christmas’, what is the first word that comes to your mind? Is it gifts, presents, tinsel, Santa Claus, snow, Christmas tree or Christmas shopping?. What do you see in your minds eye when you think of Christmas? Do you see glitter, shiny red and green decorative light bulbs, sparkling yellow lights, turkey, Brussels sprouts or roast potatoes? What songs do you hear when think of Christmas? Nat King’s Cole, song ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire’? or one of your favorite artists singing ‘O holy night’?
When one thinks of Christmas, rarely does the name Jesus Christ come to mind. Of course, we think of the nativity play, we imagine the stable where the Christ child was born. We think of the three wise men, bringing frankincense, gold and myrrh. We hardly mention these days the ‘Christ’ in Christmas. Christmas is the annual festival commemorating the birth of the Jesus Christ, celebrated by billions around the World. If Christmas is supposed to be the celebration of Christ’s birthday, why do people fail to acknowledge the Christ behind the celebration? Don’t you think it would feel strange if one celebrated your birthday and yet failed to acknowledge you at the same time? I am sure it would feel odd if somebody hosted your birthday party in your honor but didn’t invite you or didn’t even wish you a happy birthday at your birthday celebration?
Christmas is a time that we bear and give gifts to our loved ones and yet Christmas also represents the love of God for the whole of mankind. God greatly loved and dearly prized, you and I that He gave us his only son Jesus Christ that we will not perish but have eternal life. The “Christ” in the Christmas is God’s gift to us.
