Redeeming the Wonder of Christmas
The lights twinkle on evergreen branches. Wrapped packages gather beneath decorated trees. Familiar carols fill the air. But somewhere along the way, some followers of Jesus have lost the wonder of this season. They've become critics rather than celebrators, skeptics rather than proclaimers.
It's time to reclaim the joy.
When God Made a Big Deal
Look closely at the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2, and one thing becomes unmistakably clear: God made this moment a really big deal. He didn't slip quietly into the world hoping no one would notice. He orchestrated a divine announcement that lit up the night sky.
Angels appeared to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. The glory of the Lord shone around them. A heavenly host praised God, declaring: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Mary treasured these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds hurried to see this miracle and then spread the word about everything they had witnessed. This was no ordinary birth. This was the fulfillment of ancient promises, the arrival of hope, the breaking of light into darkness.
If God made Christmas a big deal, shouldn't we?
The Criticism Starts
Yet today, some Christians have become Christmas critics. They point out that we don't know Jesus's exact birthdate. They remind us that December 25th may have connections to pagan festivals. They lament how commercialized the season has become. They suggest we shouldn't celebrate at all, or at least shouldn't make such a fuss about it.
But here's the truth: Jesus should absolutely be celebrated every day. And yes, we don't know his precise birthday. Scholars suggest it may have been in the spring, perhaps around March. But does the specific calendar date really matter?
We know with absolute certainty that He was born. The eternal God took on flesh and entered His creation. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. That reality deserves celebration regardless of which day we choose to remember it.
The Art of Redemption
Even if early Christians chose December 25th to redeem a pagan holiday, that's entirely consistent with God's character. Our God is in the business of redemption. He takes what is broken, lost, and corrupted, and He makes it new. He transforms darkness into light.
Consider Paul's example in Acts 17. When he arrived in Athens, he was deeply troubled by the city's idolatry. Statues and altars to false gods filled the streets. But Paul didn't respond with condemnation and criticism. Instead, he got to work.
On Mars Hill, speaking to philosophers and thinkers, Paul noticed an altar "to an unknown god." Rather than denouncing it, he brilliantly redirected it: "What you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you." He took something they had created for false worship and pointed it toward the one true God.
If Paul could redeem an idol altar, can't we redeem a holiday?
Finding Jesus in the Symbols
When you look at Christmas traditions through spiritual eyes, Jesus appears everywhere.
The Christmas tree stands as a symbol of life and hope. It reminds us of Jeremiah's prophecy about the coming King who would reign wisely and save His people. But it also points to another tree—the cross where Jesus hung, taking the curse of our sin upon Himself. Deuteronomy declares that anyone hung on a tree is under God's curse. Jesus became that curse for us.
The lights that adorn our homes and trees reflect Jesus as the Light of the World. John's Gospel tells us: "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Every twinkling bulb can remind us that darkness has not won. Light has come.
The star or angel atop the tree recalls the announcement of salvation. God didn't keep His arrival secret. He proclaimed it through heavenly messengers and celestial signs that guided seekers to the newborn King.
The gifts we exchange mirror the greatest gift ever given. Every present wrapped and received can point to the costly gift God gave us—His Son. Just as gift-giving requires sacrifice from the giver and gratitude from the receiver, salvation cost God everything and requires our acceptance.
The wrapping of baby Jesus in cloths parallels Moses, another baby wrapped and placed in a basket to be saved from death. Through Moses, God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. Through Jesus, wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger, God delivers all humanity from slavery to sin.
A Mission, Not a Complaint
The world has indeed commercialized Christmas. Consumerism runs rampant. Many celebrate without any thought of Christ. But here's the critical question: How can we expect people who don't know Jesus to honor Him?
They don't know Him. Someone needs to make Him known.
Jesus prayed in John 17: "I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known." His mission was revelation—helping people see and know the Father. That's our mission too.
Christmas provides the perfect opportunity. The name of Jesus is everywhere during this season. People's hearts are often more open. Conversations naturally turn to deeper things. Rather than complaining about how the world celebrates, we should seize the moment to point people to the reason for the season.
Wise and Cunning Generosity
Jesus told His disciples to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves." We need wisdom and creativity during this season. That doesn't mean buying into mindless consumerism, but it does mean being intentionally generous.
Consider making gifts more meaningful. Talk with your family about giving to charity together. Choose presents that reflect God's character and love. Use the act of giving as an opportunity to share about God's generosity toward us.
Don't show up to family gatherings empty-handed, declaring you're "just giving Jesus" this year. That's not wisdom—that's missing the point. God is generous, and this season celebrates His generosity. Reflect that in how you live and give.
The Hope of Glory
Christmas is ultimately about hope breaking into a dark world. It's about the mystery that was hidden for ages but is now revealed: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
When the world sees followers of Jesus during this season, they shouldn't see grumpy critics. They should see joy. They should see people alive with hope, celebrating the God who loved them enough to enter their darkness.
So don't be a bah humbug. Celebrate boldly. Shine brightly. Point consistently to Jesus. Use every symbol, every tradition, every gathering as an opportunity to make Him known.
God made this day a big deal. It's time we did too.
The lights twinkle on evergreen branches. Wrapped packages gather beneath decorated trees. Familiar carols fill the air. But somewhere along the way, some followers of Jesus have lost the wonder of this season. They've become critics rather than celebrators, skeptics rather than proclaimers.
It's time to reclaim the joy.
When God Made a Big Deal
Look closely at the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2, and one thing becomes unmistakably clear: God made this moment a really big deal. He didn't slip quietly into the world hoping no one would notice. He orchestrated a divine announcement that lit up the night sky.
Angels appeared to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. The glory of the Lord shone around them. A heavenly host praised God, declaring: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Mary treasured these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds hurried to see this miracle and then spread the word about everything they had witnessed. This was no ordinary birth. This was the fulfillment of ancient promises, the arrival of hope, the breaking of light into darkness.
If God made Christmas a big deal, shouldn't we?
The Criticism Starts
Yet today, some Christians have become Christmas critics. They point out that we don't know Jesus's exact birthdate. They remind us that December 25th may have connections to pagan festivals. They lament how commercialized the season has become. They suggest we shouldn't celebrate at all, or at least shouldn't make such a fuss about it.
But here's the truth: Jesus should absolutely be celebrated every day. And yes, we don't know his precise birthday. Scholars suggest it may have been in the spring, perhaps around March. But does the specific calendar date really matter?
We know with absolute certainty that He was born. The eternal God took on flesh and entered His creation. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. That reality deserves celebration regardless of which day we choose to remember it.
The Art of Redemption
Even if early Christians chose December 25th to redeem a pagan holiday, that's entirely consistent with God's character. Our God is in the business of redemption. He takes what is broken, lost, and corrupted, and He makes it new. He transforms darkness into light.
Consider Paul's example in Acts 17. When he arrived in Athens, he was deeply troubled by the city's idolatry. Statues and altars to false gods filled the streets. But Paul didn't respond with condemnation and criticism. Instead, he got to work.
On Mars Hill, speaking to philosophers and thinkers, Paul noticed an altar "to an unknown god." Rather than denouncing it, he brilliantly redirected it: "What you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you." He took something they had created for false worship and pointed it toward the one true God.
If Paul could redeem an idol altar, can't we redeem a holiday?
Finding Jesus in the Symbols
When you look at Christmas traditions through spiritual eyes, Jesus appears everywhere.
The Christmas tree stands as a symbol of life and hope. It reminds us of Jeremiah's prophecy about the coming King who would reign wisely and save His people. But it also points to another tree—the cross where Jesus hung, taking the curse of our sin upon Himself. Deuteronomy declares that anyone hung on a tree is under God's curse. Jesus became that curse for us.
The lights that adorn our homes and trees reflect Jesus as the Light of the World. John's Gospel tells us: "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Every twinkling bulb can remind us that darkness has not won. Light has come.
The star or angel atop the tree recalls the announcement of salvation. God didn't keep His arrival secret. He proclaimed it through heavenly messengers and celestial signs that guided seekers to the newborn King.
The gifts we exchange mirror the greatest gift ever given. Every present wrapped and received can point to the costly gift God gave us—His Son. Just as gift-giving requires sacrifice from the giver and gratitude from the receiver, salvation cost God everything and requires our acceptance.
The wrapping of baby Jesus in cloths parallels Moses, another baby wrapped and placed in a basket to be saved from death. Through Moses, God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. Through Jesus, wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger, God delivers all humanity from slavery to sin.
A Mission, Not a Complaint
The world has indeed commercialized Christmas. Consumerism runs rampant. Many celebrate without any thought of Christ. But here's the critical question: How can we expect people who don't know Jesus to honor Him?
They don't know Him. Someone needs to make Him known.
Jesus prayed in John 17: "I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known." His mission was revelation—helping people see and know the Father. That's our mission too.
Christmas provides the perfect opportunity. The name of Jesus is everywhere during this season. People's hearts are often more open. Conversations naturally turn to deeper things. Rather than complaining about how the world celebrates, we should seize the moment to point people to the reason for the season.
Wise and Cunning Generosity
Jesus told His disciples to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves." We need wisdom and creativity during this season. That doesn't mean buying into mindless consumerism, but it does mean being intentionally generous.
Consider making gifts more meaningful. Talk with your family about giving to charity together. Choose presents that reflect God's character and love. Use the act of giving as an opportunity to share about God's generosity toward us.
Don't show up to family gatherings empty-handed, declaring you're "just giving Jesus" this year. That's not wisdom—that's missing the point. God is generous, and this season celebrates His generosity. Reflect that in how you live and give.
The Hope of Glory
Christmas is ultimately about hope breaking into a dark world. It's about the mystery that was hidden for ages but is now revealed: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
When the world sees followers of Jesus during this season, they shouldn't see grumpy critics. They should see joy. They should see people alive with hope, celebrating the God who loved them enough to enter their darkness.
So don't be a bah humbug. Celebrate boldly. Shine brightly. Point consistently to Jesus. Use every symbol, every tradition, every gathering as an opportunity to make Him known.
God made this day a big deal. It's time we did too.
Melvin Vandiver
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