What is Christmas really about?

A very common question that we ask ourselves during this festive season.

As Christians, we know that Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus. But, is it really so? The only thing that I can think of that’s mentioned in the bible and can be still seen today during Christmas is the manger where Jesus was born – only with a few adaptations to suit our twenty first century mind. Is it about Santa, Christmas trees, Carols and Crackers which dominate the season?

How do you explain: some people dressed up in funny red caps with swinging white furred balls at the end, or some who design complex algorithms for family reunions, or some virtually spending their waking hours in a shopping mall?

The Australian Retailers Association says this year as a nation we will spend a record $33 billion over Christmas – almost 6 per cent over last year. Can that explain what Christmas is really about?

So all the hustle and bustle of the season apart, is there anything that we can learn this Christmas?

Saviour is born, not made
It’s been a topic of immense discussion as to whether leaders are born or are they made? Now, I’m not sure as to which one’s true. Maybe both are, maybe none of them is!

However when it comes to a Saviour, the angels makes it very clear. Luke tells us in his gospel that the angels declared, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour…” A Saviour had to be born because he couldn’t be made. The perfect sacrifice was prepared in heaven and sent down, as it couldn’t be done any other way.

Humble King
I wonder how many people given a chance to choose their birthplace would have chosen a cattle shed? or humiliation from acquaintances? or the death on a cross with two criminals for company? Yet that’s exactly what Christmas reminds us of.

Paul reminds Philippians of this very thing when he says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, …made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. …He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Sacrificial Love
“Love thy neighbour as yourself, but choose your neighbourhood.” says Louise Beal. Our grandest idea of love falls short when we think of the love that made God sent his only son to this earth. He chose the neighbourhood. Neighbours who would later cry ‘Crucify Him’ at the gates of Pilate.

Surprisingly, there’s not much about Santa or the crackers in the Bible!

So what do YOU think is Christmas really about?

No Comments