But the angel said to [the shepherds], “Do not be afraid. 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12 NIV)
For our family, one of the realities of major holidays is that we often travel out-of-state to spend time with relatives. Thanksgiving weekend 2024 we traveled almost 900 miles one way to see relatives four states away. We had a wonderful weekend, but spending somewhere around 36 hours in the car over five days is…a LOT of quality car time. The kids are old enough now to bury themselves in their respective electronic entertainment, so it’s only the adults who have to find something to do on the road. That weekend Sirius was having a “free listening weekend” and so we were listening to a holiday “classics” channel. At one point the announcer talked of all the “characters” of Christmas – Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Mr. Scrooge, The Grinch – you know, all the biggies.
Except Jesus.
I realize that much of the world only has a vague understanding of CHRIST-mas being about Jesus – the Christ. And, yes, there are Christmas carol stations we could have listened to. Yet, this list of Christmas “characters” neglected the most central part of Christmas and it caught my attention. Is it wrong to watch a Frosty the Snowman cartoon or see the Grinch’s movie? No, I don’t believe it is, unless it distracts or even takes the place of the true meaning of the season. There is a Savior – the Messiah – who was born for us. He desires a relationship with us. He wants to heal us, free us, and bless us.
God,
Thank you for all the fun parts of the Christmas season, and thank you for the real meaning of Christmas. The Christ Child – your Son – was born to be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. Thank you, Emmanuel for dwelling among us so we could understand your love, justice, grace, and truth. Help us your People and your Church to not just go through the motions of Christmas, but to focus on the true story, message, and meaning of this season. May our songs, sermons, and actions reflect your heart for this world, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
For a child will be born for us,
a son will be given to us,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 CSB)
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 CSB)