Okay…I just got out of the car with my kids.  We went driving around looking at lights.  Pretty neat and yes, it has become a part of Christmas tradition.  That and an article I read today making Christmas out to be appauling to Christ got me thinking…what is CHRISTMAS TRUTH?

I am not going to be able to do a historical review of every Christmas tradition…nor am I going to try and say every Christmas tradition is Christ-centered.  However, is it evil? Is Christ appauled by Christmas?  My answer may shock some of you…yes and no!

Yes, Christ is appauled when Christians turn Christmas into something that bears His name but is not wholesome to Him.  When we let the world and secularism defeat the true meaning of Christmas…that is the birth of Chrsit…then we have failed our Lord.

 However, does this mean Christ does not want us to celebrate Christmas…I think not!  As much as I disagree with Christmas being so materialistic and secular…or having the values of Christmas stripped and replaced with “Happy Holidays.”  I am equally in disagreement with some denominations who try to say God is not in Christmas…they miss the whole idea of using the events of culture to reach others for Chrsit.  Christmas provides a perfect opportunity to do jsut that.

So what is the truth?  First the true story of Christmas is found in the Bible.  Both the Gospel of Matthew and Luke record these events we are to celebrate.  Our focus needs to be there.  All that we do should remind us of this…when we see a tree, lights, presents and even a nativity…this is where our minds should go…this is all about Him.  Secondly, whatever we embrace that is pagan, secular or part of our culture we should try to use to bring people to a saving knowledge of and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Lastly, the truth is found in the motivation of our heart.  God knows are hearts.  Are we doing this for His glory.

 In the end I don’t think Jesus wants us to be a Grinch…nor does He want us to be so worldly that we forget about Him.  I think the truth is that it is a good thing to have a date in which we RECOGNIZE the birth of the Savior.  I also don’t see any harm in having wholesome family traditions and values that are associated with Christmas.  The songs we sing, family gatherings, church services, peace and good will toward all men are good things…in fact God things.

This Christmas keep Christ in the heart of it all.  That is where the truth lies.  Tell others about the reason for the season…let them know that Christ has come.  Celebrate this as a family.  May you be blessed with a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 Pastor Chris