What CHRISTmas Means To Me

As I was watching the parade tonight, I couldn’t help but notice the electricity in the air … the excitement and anticipation. My mind drifted to John 12:12-13 … the crowds gathered in anticipation there, too.  But not to see a Jolly Man in Red or Floats, Bands, Flashing Lights and Dancing. No, they gathered and they waited and they praised THE MAN:  Jesus. I AM. THE MESSIAH. JEHOVAH. The list goes on and on, but, to me, He is my Creator, my Savior, my rock & my fortress … HE IS my foundation.

Christmas is a lot of different things to people.

 I’m not being judgmental; this is what Christmas means to me! 

When I think of Christmas, this is what I think of …

CHRISTMAS = CHRISTmas

“Christmas is for the children” ~ well, yes, if you consider each of us children of the Heavenly Father. It’s not just for children of a chronological age; however. CHRIST is for everyone, everywhere, of every age.

“Christmas is about seeing Santa and getting gifts” ~ now that one, I have a difficult time with. It actually upsets me to hear someone say this. If a ‘child’ is old enough to understand the concept of “SANTA” and believe in his magic, that ‘child’ is old enough to be introduced to the gospels of Jesus. After all, the ONLY reason for Christmas, IS JESUS!

If you use symbolisms and comparisons, in my mind, it goes something like this:

Santa is the giver of gifts: you ask; you believe; he delivers.

Well, that’s ok, I suppose … but I’d rather ask God because HE REALLY DELIVERS!

First, the gift HE gave to us, we didn’t ask for … HE GAVE freely. 

That ‘gift’ is His son that came to Earth in flesh, lived a sinless life, and died a horrific death for no other reason that for you and me to have everlasting life eternally in His kingdom. 

What do we have to do receive this gift? BELIEVE! (John 3:16)

That is THE GIFT … the only one that matters.

When I hear people talking about gifts, I think of presence and not presents. 

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus and it is His presence that gives us love, hope, life! 

By no other name shall we be saved than by HIS name! (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:13)

To me, it’s not about buying gifts and stressing and parties … CHRISTMAS is sacred.

I don’t need anything; all of my needs are met. I don’t even want for anything. I have more than a lot of people, less than a lot of people, and certainly more than I need! I am blessed in my life with exactly what I have! (Philippians 4:11)

Christmas … CHRIST’s Mass

Christmas … Jesus is the ONLY reason for this holiday, whether it’s observed on December 25^th or January 7^th or anytime thereabout, in between, or at all. 

You simply cannot truly celebrate it without first acknowledging its meaning and believing in Jesus because it is the celebration of HIS birth! 

I think we need to refocus our gratitude and praise and celebrations of this glorious event back to where they belong. It’s not a secular holiday; it is a religious celebration that, over the years, has become a secular holiday.

Another gathering that I thought of as I watched tonight wasn’t as festive for those that believe. (Matthew 27:27-55) And I asked myself: ‘If this were a parade for Jesus, I wonder how many of these same people would be here ... standing out in the freezing weather, babies wrapped up, kids watching, parents waiting … for glimpse of Him?”