Now that we have your attention!

"Thank God for his Son—a gift too wonderful for words!"
(2 Corinthians 9:15, NLT)

Christmas must be a favorite time of the year for nearly everyone! Granted, It can also be a very hectic and stressful time too, but still, when this joyous season is upon us, and particularly when the Day finally comes, it seems to me that it is a time that nearly everyone enjoys to one degree or another.

Last year I wrote a post about my thoughts regarding how we Christians can, and should return to a place where Christmas is a celebration of our faith. If you missed it, you can read it in the January, 2007 archives in the left-hand column of this page. I do not intend to repeat it here, for a new thought occurs to me this year.

When Christmas time is upon us, we literally have the whole world’s attention. No matter what a person’s view of Christ, nearly everyone in the world is aware of the fact that it is Christmas. Doubtless, some have no real understanding of who Christ is. Many more are perhaps curious about why all this is going on. Some may even be wondering if Jesus Christ, born over 2000 years ago, could possibly have any meaning for their lives today. We know the answer to that question!

Think about it! I can’t think of any other figure in history whose birth we recognize after that many years. At least, certainly not with this level of celebration. I do realize that in our culture, Christmas has become a nearly secular holiday, and probably most celebrate it as time to be with their loved ones, and to give them gifts as an expression of that love, but still, the very word "Christmas" brings the name of Christ into focus for all who celebrate.

As the Body of Christ, and as individual members thereof, this indeed gives us a unique opportunity to proclaim, with all the clarity we are able to muster, just exactly what it is that we are celebrating.

If anything, I think that many of us have often fallen into the world’s trap, and have come to celebrate Christmas as a family time, secular holiday. Don’t forget what Paul said

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." (Romans 12:2 NLT)

In last years post, which I referred to above, I suggested some ways that we might start in doing what we should be doing. This year, I just wanted to point out, what a marvelous opportunity we have, and to suggest that the Spirit of Christ Himself can show us ways that we can proclaim that we do not celebrate a dead teacher who lived two millennia ago, but our living Lord, and our own "gift too wonderful for words".

Thanks for sharing this moment with me today.

Merry Christmas to all!