There is more to celebrate than the Savior’s birth at Christmas
by Kevin Carson
Pastor of Sonrise Baptist Church, Ozark, MO
“Jesus is the reason for the season.” You’ve heard it, read it, maybe you even posted or tweeted it.
The concern over keeping Christ in CHRISTmas is not new; there are hints of the dilemma as far back as the mid-60s. Who can forget Charlie’s angst at Snoopy and the other children, along with Linus’s recitation of Luke 2:8-14, in A Charlie Brown Christmas, which first aired December 9, 1965. For years Americans have struggled to stay focused on what truly matters in celebrating Christmas versus getting caught up in the commercialism of it. In fact, this year the average American is expected to spend $700 on Christmas gifts and other goodies — that’s more than $465 billion.
For some of us, we again will seek to help keep our minds focused on Jesus’ birth this year. We will help remind our children, grandchildren, and others that Jesus is the example of the ultimate Gift-giver. As we have heard in the past, we also may say, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Possibly, we will even strive to remind neighbors by including a manger scene out in the yard, or by wearing buttons, or by using a bumper sticker that reminds others of Jesus.
For so many of us, it is easy to be distracted during the Christmas season. Is that saying it too lightly? There are gifts to buy, activities to attend, rehearsals to make, presentations to give, meals to prepare, people to see, miles to travel, and the list goes on. Although there are so many temptations in the Christmas season to be distracted by, the simple reality for all of us does not change: Christmas is about Jesus. So are Christmas Eve, New Year’s, and President’s Day. Every day is about Jesus — His birth, life, death, resurrection, and continuing ministry. As you celebrate Christmas this year by celebrating Jesus Christ our Savior, consider the following thoughts to help inform your celebration and the celebration you have with others.
ENJOY YOUR DAY – JESUS CARES!
Did I mention that Christmas can be full of pressure? I’ll spare you the list again; however, there are many concerns and cares packed in the few short days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Allow this thought to encourage you during your day: Jesus cares.
I recently enjoyed this surprising thought while talking with my seven-year-old. His assignment was to present his favorite Bible verse to his class and tell why it is his favorite. When I asked him about it at supper, he explained that his favorite was John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” I could see very quickly why he chose this verse — it is the shortest in the Bible! So, I asked him why that verse was important. He admitted that it was just because it was the shortest. I took time then to explain to him the rest of the story.
Lazarus’ sisters send a message to Jesus that Lazarus is sick. When Jesus hears of the sickness, He responds, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (11:4). He then proceeds to wait two days before leaving to see Mary and Martha. He explains it to the disciples when he says, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe” (v. 15).
He arrives. Lazarus had been in the tomb four days already. Martha meets him on the way and Jesus talks with her. Martha then leaves to get Mary and they both return. Jesus’ response is two-fold. He is angry because all that are present mourn, as if the resurrection was not assured. He also cries. He sees the deep grief of Mary and Martha, their faith in what He could have done if He had been present, and the general unbelief of the crowd. The Jews, however, misunderstand His response and Jesus again is grieved by the general unbelief and misunderstanding of the crowd.
After praying, Jesus then raises Lazarus back to life. John records the scene: “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth.’ And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, ‘Loose him, and let him go’” (11:43-44).
First, Jesus demonstrates His love and care, even when we as His people do not understand or, at times, even believe. He sees His two heartbroken friends who love Him. Jesus cares that they hurt and mourn with a general sense of unbelief. So Jesus cries. Interesting response, isn’t it? John makes it clear that Jesus had already determined to raise Lazarus from death. “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep” (11:11). So, the end of this story is already known to Jesus. He understands better than anyone present that this is getting ready to change from a funeral to a party. Yet, Jesus still hurt because His friends hurt and were weak in faith. The good news for us is that Jesus is no different today. Friends, Jesus cares.
Jesus also points his friends to the truth of the gospel. He shares with Martha initially, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” (11:25-26). Even before His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus shares with Martha the ultimate hope each person has, regardless of one’s pressures and hardships. In Jesus, we live. In your current struggle this season, you may be questioning how much Jesus loves and cares for you. My friend, you do not need to look any further than the cross of Jesus Christ to be encouraged by the love and care of Jesus.
The third important way we are reminded of Jesus’ care and concern flows from His prayer to God the Father. He prays, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always …” (11:41-42). In His prayer, we are reminded of Jesus’ own communion within the Trinity. The public prayer that Jesus prays here is for Mary, Martha, and the crowd’s benefit — and ultimately ours — to get a glimpse of the intimacy of the relationship between God the Father and Jesus. We are reminded today that we enjoy a relationship with Jesus who cares and is concerned for us. But it doesn’t end there — Jesus communicates that care and concern with the Father in perfect communion in the Trinity.
Friends, regardless of what pressure you face today or this Christmas season, remember that Jesus cares. The cross is a permanent reminder set in the ages of history as to the care and concern that Jesus has for you. He does not consider your pressures without care. Jesus offers us help in our suffering (Hebrews 2:18). Jesus welcomes you to bring your concerns, fears, questions, and heaviness to Him today in order that you will receive both mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:15-16). In the middle of your chaos today, take a minute to reflect on the wonderful love and care that Jesus has for you.
GOOD NEWS – JESUS SAVES!
As you celebrate Christmas this year by celebrating Jesus Christ our Savior, consider also that Jesus’ story includes more than just His birth and manger. Jesus came with a specific purpose — with you in mind, even. John writes, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (3:17). Jesus was born that night in Bethlehem as part of God’s plan to save you and anyone else who puts faith in Him.
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, comes to Jesus by night to ask some questions regarding what Jesus believed. Jesus initially tells him that he must be born again. However, Nicodemus does not understand what Jesus is saying. Jesus graciously explains that Nicodemus’ problem — and the problem of all those who do not enjoy a relationship with God in Christ — is that he does not believe. In reference to the cross, Jesus says, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (3:14-15). The key to Jesus’ statement is that one must believe in him, that is, in Jesus for eternal life. It is Jesus, the one born in a manger, the one whose birth we celebrate, it is he that brings salvation to people.
John reminds us of the greatest gift ever given — God’s only begotten Son (3:16). God, in unequalled, unparalleled, and undeserved love, chose to send His Son to earth to allow for the salvation of mankind. John makes it clear how incredible this truly is and how worthy of our consideration and celebration He is — God loves the world and makes salvation possible for them. It is this same world that hates Jesus, rejects him, and ridicules him. It is to this world that God offers eternal life to anyone and everyone who believes: “that the world through Him might be saved” (3:17).
This Christmas season, strive to not lose the big idea of our celebration — Jesus saves! Jesus came as light into a dark world that loves darkness (3:19-21). Frustration is easy for the believer in Christ when the world focuses its attention on Santa, decorations, gift giving, and the holiday season without reference to Christ. Instead of frustration, we can allow the lack of attention on Christ to help sharpen our focus on the need of the world to be saved. When the lines are long and the parking lots are crammed, take advantage of those moments to be reminded of how deep, wide, and great God’s love is for us; then, look around in mercy recognizing the great need of those around us of the person and work we celebrate — Jesus saves!
FRESH HOPE – JESUS FORGIVES!
The Christmas festivities often bring us around so many people. There are work parties, church functions, extended family gatherings, community events, and so much more. It is in some of these moments that we are faced with the worst inside us and others — sometimes it even slips out so it is on the outside as well! Maybe it is a misplaced compliment, a poorly worded comment about holiday weight, a former spouse, an unwise uncle, or on and on we could go — whatever or whoever it is that provides for us the opportunity for temptation, we take the bait and choose to grumble or complain or judge or become enraged or gossip or … The very thing we know that dishonors God, minimizes the birth we celebrate, grieves the Spirit, and frustrates the work of grace in our lives, that is what we do. Now what? We remember that the one we celebrate, our Savior Jesus Christ, also brings fresh hope — Jesus forgives!
In 1 John, he reminds us of another reason we celebrate Jesus: we enjoy fellowship with God the Father and His son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3). John describes us as believers who walk in the light as those who benefit from the cleansing of sin by the blood of Jesus (1:7). Our fellowship with God is guaranteed through the purification from sin through Christ. In fact, John makes it clear that forgiveness is always available. John writes, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1:9). This is certainly worth celebrating at Christmas.
Christmas provides us unprecedented opportunities to focus on the forgiveness we have in Christ. It is so sad though when a Christian under conviction of sin fails to enjoy the Christmas season, or even worse, allows a moment of sin to go without confession and repentance. This is where John’s words are so helpful to us. We have the privilege to turn to God and the forgiveness promised through Jesus’ blood to ask for forgiveness of sin.
God desires for you to enjoy Him and other believers. Because of that, John promises two outcomes to our confession of sin. First, he promises that God is always faithful and just to forgive. The sin that hinders our fellowship with God and others is forgiven. Additionally, he promises cleansing from all unrighteousness. The defilement produced by our sin is gone. The impediment of fellowship is cleared away. Where sin and sorrow existed between God, others, and us, they are replaced with the joy of being one in Christ and experiencing the forgiveness of Christ. This Christmas we celebrate the work of Christ — Jesus forgives!
CONSTANT ENCOURAGEMENT – JESUS INTERCEDES!
At times the Christmas season can bring an unusual sense of down-ness and discouragement. Possibly, it is a co-worker describing all the wonderful gifts he is going to buy for his children when you know that you can’t. Possibly, it is the precarious health of a family member where you wonder if you have seen the last Christmas with this person. Possibly, it is a song or movie that reminds you of past Christmases with former relationships and seemingly better times. Possibly, it is being separated from your family by miles and circumstances. Maybe, it is a combination of these plus so many other life situations that can leave us discouraged at Christmas. Regardless of where we are or what is going on, John encourages us — Jesus intercedes!
Regardless of how we feel or why we feel a certain way, John makes our day sweeter. He writes to us so that we will not sin. Surprisingly and refreshingly to our ears, he continues, “And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins …” (1 John 2:1-2). This is more of the good news we can celebrate this season: the wonderful work of Jesus on our behalf — Jesus intercedes for us. John calls Jesus our paraclete, functioning in Heaven as our advocate — speaking on our behalf before God the Father. The perfect righteous One ministers on our account — the righteous for the unrighteous.
John explains what makes Jesus uniquely qualified to intercede with God for us. Jesus is the wrath-bearing sacrifice. There are two incredible implications of this. First, in the moments when we are tempted to feel unusually down and disheartened, we can remember that Jesus bore God’s wrath for our sin, and presently continually intercedes for us before the Father. Again, how sweet, refreshing, and encouraging to contemplate what Christ does for us!
The second implication is of equal significance: Christ bore God’s wrath for sin so that we have the privilege and solemn responsibility to share Christ with every person with whom we come in contact. It is necessary to stay focused on and receive encouragement from what Christ did on the cross and provides us now in Heaven. We cannot afford to allow the discouragements from this world to distract us from living joyfully in Christ. When we fail to be encouraged by the grace of the work of Christ, it limits our ability and desire to share Christ with a lost world that needs salvation. Christmas provides us the opportunity to share the good news of salvation available in Christ to the world; therefore, we do not want to miss it because of a lack of joy and focus — Jesus intercedes!
Regardless of where you are today, what you are doing, what your circumstances are, or the pressures you face this Christmas season, Jesus Christ cares, saves, forgives, and intercedes. This season provides you an opportunity to focus on the gracious birth, life, death, and work of our Savior. The world around you — your family, friends, co-workers, fellow church members, neighbors, and community — needs you focused appropriately on Jesus. The true message and meaning of Christmas is lost in your life and community only if you fail to celebrate Christ in his fullness. May it be our joy and privilege this Christmas season to celebrate and live Christ. Merry Christmas.