IN FAITH
Reflections On Christmas
Every year at this time I always look for Charles Schultz’s rendition of A Charlie Brown Christmas on television. I know that that dates me. That TV special is almost as old as dirt, now. It was produced in 1965. Charles Schultz did us an incredible favor, when he introduced the idea that we were in danger of losing the real message of Christmas, the birth of the Christ child, and replacing it with instead the commercialization of Christmas.
Oh, I know. We can’t get away from the “glitz of Christmas” at this time of year. And, maybe we need to be in a festive mood, because if the birth of Jesus and the salvation offered to us by God in Christ, isn’t enough to melt hearts and bring joy, then, what will do that?
The announcement by the Archangel, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 KJV), has changed the world forever in a positive way. It has given us true hope.
I love the winter night skies, because the stars shine so clearly in the crisp air, when there is no cloud cover over us. They remind me of the light of eternity, and a God, whom Jesus called Father, who watches over us and truly cares about each of us, and all of us.
I have to admit, as well, that I really enjoy our own decorations and our neighbors decorations and festive lights. In our family, it is a joyful thing to set up and decorate our Christmas tree, and put our home in a “Christmas” mood.
But “mood” isn’t what Christmas is about! Don’t get me wrong, the “spirit of the holidays,” is a wonderful thing! But, Christmas isn’t about “mood.” It’s about an “act of God,” whereby God took steps to save the human race from damnation, destruction and sin by sending the Christ child, who would one day die on a Roman cross on Calvary in order to forgive the sins of the world, and reunite us with God and one another. That’s where Christmas takes us. It takes us to Holy Week, Good Friday, and Easter. And the ultimate goal of Christ’s ministry, was to inaugurate “the kingdom of God,” or “rule of God” among the human race, as opposed to its opposite, the rule of Satan or evil.
Forgive me for being so solemn at Christmas time! But there is true wonder in this story! And if we understand what steps God took to heal and reunite the fragmented human race with God and the human race itself, it surely could not hurt us to take steps to heal whatever breeches there might be between us and others whose relationships with us are damaged. That, too, is what Christmas is about!
So as we trim our trees, buy our gifts, and hopefully go to Advent and Christmas Eve worship services across this City of Faith, Fort Wayne, Indiana, let’s take time to reflect on what steps God has already taken to bring peace, the true gift of Christmas.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. {9} And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. {10} And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. {11} For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. {12} And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. {13} And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, {14} Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:8-14 KJV)
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