The Birth of Jesus Christ
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Luke 2:8-11
It was not too long ago that the TV airways were dominated by cavemen. Not in the traditional sense but by a commercial that many of you would remember for an insurance company called ‘Geico.’ The saying was, “So easy, a caveman could do it,” which was in reference to how easily one could go online and sign up for their insurance. It is a bit crazy for me to realize that those commercials were over a decade ago when it feels like it was yesterday. However, the impressive thing about that commercial is that even though it was years ago, it is so easy to remember. So, while Geico’s current ads feature a gecko as its spokesperson, it still does not resonate as well as the caveman commercials over a decade ago. That will of course one day change as this next generation will probably identify with the funny little creature like my mom would identify Apple by its rainbow-colored apple symbol.
As we think of Christmas, we think of family, gifts, and Christmas ornaments. A lot of that is ingrained from over the years of advertising, getting that toy or doll you always wanted, or simply the smell of the Christmas tree on Christmas Day. Yet for many of us who go to church, we are reminded that Jesus Christ is as they say, ‘the reason for the season.’ I am thankful for this fact even as deep down I struggle to place that at the center of my thoughts with all the other stuff that is ingrained in me. It does not mean I do not recognize the significance of the birth of our savior. It just means I must be intentional so that I do not lose focus on it because it is so easy to get caught up in the other stuff. Now maybe this is just my own struggle, and those of you who are either spiritually more mature than I am or had a family that always focused on Jesus Christ as the sole purpose of Christmas Day have this down pat. But I ask this. Why do we have to get reminded this every Christmas if it is so easy, a caveman could do it? Maybe I am not as alone as I thought.
The key to getting Christmas right is to be intentional, remembering what it is for. I enjoy the gifts and watching my loved one’s faces brighten up when they get something they really wanted or are pleasantly surprised by what they got. It is important for me to remember as was written in Matthew when the wise men saw baby Jesus. It said, “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11) I will say this verse in my family prayer prior to opening gifts to center us around what gift giving truly represents. It’s a small thing, but I remember the first time my wife and I prayed over our then very young family. We were so grateful to be together, and it meant so much to all of us. It will mean as much this year as it will be the last Christmas our teenage daughter will be just a child. We all have our traditions and things we are thankful for or focus on. None are wrong if they are grounded in the simple fact that it is a celebration of the moment everything changed for us. We were broken, lost, and filled with misery. Some of us might still be feeling this way today. But on Christmas, the one who makes us whole came into this world to fix what was broken, find who was lost, and replace our misery with joy, and if you are one who still feeling distraught, do not be dismayed. Hang in there! Remember the words of Jesus when He said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)
The birth of Christ is representative of the coming of Good News. While many of us have struggles whether they are known to others or not, I want to say to you it is going to be all right. Do not let those things surrounding Christmas cloud the real purpose behind the day. As I described, it is so easy to lose sight of it. Let us focus not only on what Christmas Day represents but also what it means for our lives going forward? What are you joyful of this Christmas? How will you and your family find focus on what the birth of Christ means? My prayer is we remember to center this Christmas on that which matters most: the birth of Jesus Christ. Amen, and Merry Christmas to you all.