Xmas

At this time of year, there are sometimes conflicting views of how Christmas should be celebrated in America.  There are those in this country who recognize Christ as Savior, and they celebrate with recognition of His birth…  There are those who could care less either way, but still choose to celebrate, exchange gifts, and stuff themselves with ham on Dec 25th…  And there are the atheist groups who insist on being troublemakers.  In fact, a group has started problems in Century FL where they’ve demanded that the small town remove the nativity scene from in front of the town hall where it’s been located every December for decades.

Luke 2:1-20

New International Version (NIV)

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to himand was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays, Xmas…  Regardless of what you call it, Christmas is about the birth of Christ.  It always will be, whether a group wants to recognize it or not.

When you exchange gifts this year, take time to reflect on the birth of Christ… why He came, and why He left.  Why He started as a King, and became a child. and then became a King again… so that everyone could know what Christmas was really about.  Mercy, grace, and forgiveness by taking away the sin of the world so that we all could be free.  Merry Christmas, Dear Savior!

Questions to ask yourself…

1. Have you ever allowed a “scrooge” to distract you from the true meaning of Christmas?
2. Do you reflect on the birth of Christ during the holiday season?
3. Have you ever read the Christmas story from the gospels with your friends and family?

COMPOSED BY: MARK T EWING