Hope for the Holidays
December 6, 2009
Welcome to the month of December! For many people, this is arguably their favorite time of the year. Why? Because it is the month during which Christmas is celebrated. What can be said of this special day? Well, some argue that people of faith should have nothing to do with Christmas because it is a day with pagan origins. Others argue that Christmas is a religious holiday, one that is unbiblical. They say a person cannot celebrate a religious holiday nonreligiously. Of course, folks who present these arguments are entitled to their opinion. But as a Christian, I am not interested in opinion; I am interested in the facts presented in God’s word (Psa. 119:104; Jn. 6:68). Consultation of those facts presents three truths. First, Christmas is not the birthday of Jesus. No one knows the day on which the Lord was born; we know only that he was born (Matt. 1:18-25). Secondly, many of the persons who challenge the celebration of Christmas happily celebrate Valentine’s Day (think sweetheart dinners, gifts of chocolate to spouses, and so forth). But Valentine’s Day honors a third century “saint.” It is, according to legend, a religious holiday. So we see that folks who charge others are guilty of practicing what they condemn (Rom. 2:21-23)! Third, Christmas is a time of year that focuses the attention of the world on the person of Jesus Christ. Men, women, and children across the globe are reminded of the most significant historical reality ever to take place on this planet: the day God became man (Jn. 1:14). What can we say to all this, West Broad and friends? Simply that, biblically and historically speaking, the Holidays remind us of hope — the hope that exists only in the work and person of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). If we can find good in July Fourth, Mother’s Day, and even St. Patrick’s Day, I’m hopeful we can find good in that. Think about it. —JLNJR
