Keep Christ in Christmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Lights are appearing outside homes. The malls are decorated brighter and bigger than ever. And yet, I can’t help but notice how Christ has become separated from Christmas in the eyes of most. I am always struck by this as I notice the line up of Christmas movies: A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Elf, The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, etc…
Take for example the classic movie A Christmas Carol. It’s a story of redemption, kind of, but something important is missing from Scrooge’s change of heart: faith in the Christ of Christmas! Scrooge decides to be more charitable in an attempt to make up for years of stinginess and cruelty, but this “classic Christmas story” fails to explain that true redemption doesn’t come from our self-efforts, but rather from faith in the Christ of Christmas.
Or take The Polar Express. It tells the story about a cynical boy who has his “faith” in Santa restored by a magical train ride to the North Pole. There is a scene in the movie where the conductor tells him, “One thing about trains: It doesn’t matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on.” In other words, just have faith in something. It doesn’t really matter what the object of your faith is.
How different from Scripture which tells us that what counts is the object of faith: Salvation comes “through faith in Christ” (Romans 3:22) and “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
The enemy has done a masterful job in separating Christ from Christmas in our culture. May we do all we can to oppose that tide.
As you watch some of the holiday classics, be sensitive to their subtle flaws and deceptive philosophies. If you’re a parent, discuss them with your children. Talk about the real meaning of Christmas.
Read the Christmas story together as a family (Luke 2 / Matthew 1). Talk about the real reason for the season. Don’t let the lights, the tree, the gifts, and the food distract you from Christ. Remember the angel’s words to the shepherds: “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11). Christmas is all about Jesus. He alone brings joy. He alone brings meaning. He alone brings hope. And he alone brings salvation. That’s where it starts. That’s where it ends. We all need a Savior. And Jesus is the Savior we need. Yes. Faith is important. But, it’s faith in Christ that saves. Not faith in faith, or faith in something. Faith in Christ.
May the hope and the peace of Christ fill you afresh this Christmas.
