Just a few more days until December 25th - just a few more days
until... until what? What exactly is December 25th? What is this
day we call Christmas?
The early church didn't give much thought to the birth of Jesus.
Of the four Gospels only Matthew and Luke even mention His
birth, and these accounts are relatively brief. Certainly, the
emphasis of the Gospels was on Jesus' ministry, death, and
resurrection. And after Jesus ascended to Heaven, the focus of
the church was on living for Him, sending out His message, and
waiting for His return.
No one is really sure when Jesus was born. The first recorded
celebration didn't occur until 200 years after His birth, and it
wasn't until 330 A.D. that the birth of Christ was assigned to
December 25th. Some say Jesus was actually born in September
or October and others are sure He was born in March or April;
in fact, a case has been made for His birth in each of the twelve
months. But it's generally agreed that, due to the relatively
colder weather, December was an unlikely time for the birth of
our Savior. So what really is this day we call Christmas?
John 1:1,14
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made His
dwelling among us."
These verses refer to Jesus Christ as "the Word" who was with
God in the beginning and at the same time was God Himself.
Jesus then left His Heavenly dwelling to begin life with us as a
little baby.
Christmas is a day to remember the most profound event in the
history of the world. On that first Christmas night (whenever it
was), God came to earth to live among us! He was born into the
most humble circumstances, grew and taught us His truths, died
on a cross for our sin, and was raised to be with The Father - all
so we might live with Him for eternity.
December 25th is a day to celebrate with quiet reflection, as Mary
"treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart
(Luke 2:19). It is also a day to celebrate with great rejoicing, as
the shepherds "returned, glorifying and praising God for all the
things they had heard and seen" (Luke 2:20). The world has tried
to remove Christ and insert many activities into this season
which do not glorify God. But this need not hinder our worship.
We have the ability to turn away the evil and embrace that which
is honoring and good.
We can (and should) glorify God and celebrate the gift of our
Savior every day throughout the year. But let's take the opportunity
to make this season and this day special. Let's celebrate with a
focused and thankful heart, and make December 25th a blessed
day of remembrance.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
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