Jesus is the Reason for the Season

December, 2009

by: Brock Bolde

Christmas – the mere mention of the word stirs within each of us a wide range of thoughts and emotions. For some, the word brings to mind a Christmas Tree loaded with gifts and packages; for others it draws them back to happier times with loved ones that have since passed away; and yet still for others, it causes “visions of sugar-plums” to dance in their heads – which I can’t even begin to imagine because I have no clue as to how a regular sugar-plum looks, let alone a dancing one! Yes, Christmas is without question a time of celebration—a time of glad tidings and cheer! But why is this? Why is Christmas such a big deal? What makes it such a special time of year? Is it the presents? The decorations? The treats and goodies? The parties? What is the whole reason behind Christmas?

My fear is that while many of us, and even our children, can give the correct answer to these questions, the practical reality of our celebration does not support our correct answers. For many, Christmas is not really about Jesus—it’s become an opportunity to indulge oneself, and our children, with the things of this world. I believe the following story may help us to see what is happening in far too many homes at Christmastime. It was written by C.E. Smith of the San Jose Mercury News a number of years ago:

A christening was to be held many years ago by a very wealthy European family. Many guests were invited to the home for the occasion and they came in the very latest fashionable garb. Their wraps and coats were carried to a bedroom and laid upon the beds. After the usual lot of conversation and commotion, they were ready for the christening ceremony and someone asked, “Where is the baby?” The nurse was sent upstairs to look and returned in alarmed distress. The baby was nowhere to be found! After several minutes’ search someone remembered that the child had last been seen lying on one of the beds, and after a frantic search the little child was found smothered under the wraps of the guests. The chief reason why they had come had been forgotten, neglected, and destroyed!

C.E. Smith went on to write— “This Christmas many will forget, neglect and even destroy the Christ-child! He is smothered by the tinsel, wrapping paper, ribbon, and make-believe that surround the festive occasion reminding us of the words of Luke—‘There was no room for them in the inn.’ Let’s not crowd Christ out of Christmas.”

Jesus is the Reason for the Season! He is supposed to be the center of attention; the One who has drawn us all together to celebrate. But something has gone terribly wrong; the Christ-child has been forgotten, neglected, and even destroyed within our culture. People have gathered together but it is no longer to worship the Christ-child. The Baby in the manger has been crowded out by the Ipods, Gameboys, and other electronic gadgets of our day.

Parents, let me plead with you to fight against this trend; I implore you to teach your children the truth regarding Christmas. Help them to understand that if there is no birth, there is no cross; and if there is no cross, there is no forgiveness of sins and each of us is to be judged accordingly. Jesus Christ came to die. He came to pay a debt that none of us could possibly pay. By His wounds, we are healed! He took upon Himself what was rightfully ours. This Christmas let us remember that. Let us remember the Christ-child that was born to die. Jesus is the Reason for the Season! Let us make sure that we never allow that message to be forgotten, neglected or destroyed. Let us never forget that our sin is Jesus’ Reason for coming. Let us never treat lightly the great price that He paid to redeem us from the pit of Hell. Jesus is worthy of all of our praise—this Christmas may we give Jesus the recognition that He deserves by returning Him to the center of our family’s attention and devotion.