The Joy of Christmas

This is a guest post by my fiance A.J.

I grew up in a non-Christian home.  But, I remember the emphatic excitement produced by my imagination around Christmas time.  Being the imaginative five year old I was, of course I believed in Santa Claus [because I was told he was real].  I remembered trying to imagine what he looked like and if he was really an old, fat and jolly man with rosy cheeks and a long gray beard.  Once, I was in bed one Christmas Eve [probably 1986 or so] and I did not want to sleep.  I remember pulling back the curtain to look into the sky just in case I saw something.  Low and behold, there was something in the sky that was moving and sparkling that I thought for sure was Santa Claus.  That night, I had my entire immediate family in my bedroom on Christmas Eve because I said something to the effect of, “Everyone come here, I see Santa in the sky on his sleigh!”  When I think about that today, it is incredibly humorous to know that I have gone to such lengths with my imagination.

Even today, something happens to me around Christmas time.  As a Marketing major in college, I pay particular attention to advertisements and items in retail stores.  Even though singing and dancing snowmen aren’t real, they are certainly depicted as being tangible.  Although reindeer can’t fly and talk, they are seen in the month of December as doing so.  It is the same with Santa Claus.  Although he is not real, he is used to bring about the “mood of Christmas” to the world.  I don’t know many people who are offended by the thought of him.  I am sure that most cultures and religions could agree on his purpose.  It is ok to fly across the sky with a team of reindeer to eventually shimmy down a chimney and deliver presents to those who have been “good.”  We apparently do not even have a problem with him eating the few cookies and drinking milk that we leave out for him before he leaves for the next house on late Christmas Eve.  Santa provides an extreme feeling of comfort and joy around Christmas time because nothing bad can possibly happen when he is involved.  I am sure children all across the world who have heard of him contemplate his being and character because of how great he sounds.  Santa is famous. 

There is no greater joy than seeing snow falling from the winter sky, blanketing the ground along with Christmas lights as far as the eye can see.  Christmas music listening while sipping hot cocoa next to a kindling fire provokes a joy that is seemingly unsurpassable.  When one is decorating a Christmas tree, the invigorating experience of happiness does not allow room to see that it will come down very soon.  The fellowship of loved ones during this season seems to be extra special because of the joy of Christmas.

As Christians, our whole worldview of the meaning of Christmas should be staunchly different than what the world accepts and respects.  Although it is fun to build a snowman, it is nothing other than solid water among the elements that God spoke into existence.  Most people enjoy the thought of Santa Claus.  But, he is a fable that doesn’t say much and certainly nothing about sin.  Christmas trees grow and are chopped down to simply die for our decorating pleasure.  It is part of our culture, society in the suburbs and the world at large.

May we learn, by Grace, to treasure a biblical worldview.  Although I am not saying that Christians should not buy Christmas trees and say the name “Santa,” we should most definitely acknowledge the reality and truth of what Christmas means; what the bible says about the human condition of sin, death and the fact that God sent a Savior to die for the sins of the ungodly.

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonder Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace, There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

If we are Christians, Christmas does not mean that we get presents and watch Christmas movies.  Nor does it mean that it is time to buy a Christmas tree to be just like our neighbor.  Santa is a cute thought derived from one who was a saint, but he is gone just as fast as he comes.  The season of Christmas is merely a reminder of where true joy comes from, to those who are being saved.  It is a reminder that, by God’s Great Mercy, He provided a way.  This season should provoke a Spirit of gratefulness because a baby was born.  May we meditate on the reality of this baby that was and is God incarnate.  The very reason He was born is so that He could die for the sins of the world.  He was not quiet, but offended most people with the message of the Truth [The Gospel].  When we think about Christmas, may we think about the precious blood that brings a sinner to life so that we may participate in the beholding of the eternal Glorious Christ that forever surpasses seasonal joy.

“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21