THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS--Considering the Source

Have you ever wondered why the Christmas story was never referred to, by Jesus or the Apostles? And why were the events surrounding the birth of Christ never part of any of the preaching recorded in the book of Acts, or written about, by any of the writers of the New Testament Letters? Actually, only two of the four Gospels (Matthew & Luke) bear any record of Jesus' birth.

No one, in those days, made Christmas shopping lists, decorated the halls with holly, or trimmed the trees. The first nativity scene on record was displayed more than 1200 years after the birth of the Christ-child. Yet, for all the apparent joy expressed at Christmas time, even today, it still does not compare to that which people of faith and hope in the coming Messiah experienced in and around Bethlehem of Judea in those days.

It was not the ringing of bells or the singing of carols that brought such joy to the old prophet Simeon, for example. Simeon, who had long before, heard a message from God, telling him he would not die until he had seen the Christ; was asked by Mary and Joseph to formally dedicate the baby Jesus in the Temple. And just as he had done for other families so many times, the old man took the baby in his hands to bless him... But this time it was different. With Baby Jesus in his arms, Simeon lifted up his tear-filled eyes to heaven as indescribable joy fill his soul--and he blessed the Lord.

His joyful prayer, as recorded years later by Luke, revealed his heart...

..."Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation...
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel."
--Luke 2:29-32 NKJV

As Simeon looked at the infant Jesus that day, he did not see a sweet little baby who had just been 'away in a manger, asleep on the hay'... He saw God's marvelous gift of salvation. He saw the Light of the world, the very personification of righteousness, truth, and eternal life--and unspeakable Joy overwhelmed him.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, had experienced the same a little over a year prior to that day, even while the baby was still in her womb... And she expressed that joy in powerful and prophetic words...

..."My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior...
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things...
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever."
--Luke 1:46-55

Like Simeon, Mary could only think of, and rejoice in the reality of full salvation, humbly wrapped in the tiny human form within her... And her joy also, flowed like a mighty stream.

The salvation in which Mary and Simeon both rejoiced, would not actually be accomplished for yet another 33 years, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, but the miraculous conception and the birth of the Savior were enough for them to consider it 'as good as done'... The Savior had arrived. Their celebration then, as well as any future celebration, would be in appreciation of what was to happen at Calvary, not Bethlehem. Even the prophets of old, who prophesied the birth of Jesus, gave no reason to celebrate the details of that birth through songs, drama, festivals, etc... They were excited about WHO was to be born--not HOW He would be born. Their prophecies foretold what the Man, Christ Jesus, would accomplish in His death and resurrection. His birth, and the details surrounding it, would serve only as a marvelous sign, that redemption had come in the person of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah was one of those prophets who rejoiced in advance at not merely the birth of Christ, but in the fact that His birth would signal the soon fulfillment of all that God had promised to Israel...

..."The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light...
You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before you according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For you have broken the yoke of his burden...
FOR unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given...
--Isaiah 9:2-6

In our day, the Christmas season and the Christmas celebration grows bigger each year. Some major department stores in America begin displaying their Christmas decorations as early as August. By the end of Thanksgiving weekend, houses are lit up, trees are trimmed, and lawns are full of ornamental Santas, snowmen, reindeer, etc.

Churches and Christian ministries begin their month-long Christmas celebrations and pastors start preaching their month-long 'Christmas message series'. Some Christian radio stations cease playing songs about the cross, the blood of Jesus, and the resurrection; and only play Christmas songs... And sadly, some of those songs have nothing to do with Jesus. For an entire month, the message that 'Jesus is coming soon' is all but replaced with 'Here comes Santa Claus.' As the celebration grows, the reason for that celebration is more and more diluted with worldly mentality. The number of those 'walking in darkness' increases, while the number of those who have 'seen a great light' grows ever smaller.

Should we be satisfied with our weak declarations of "What Christmas means to me"?... I don't think so. I think we should boldly proclaim to our lost neighbors, "What Christmas means to THEM". And what about our 'testimonies' of how 'Christmas serves as a reminder of God's love'?... Where are our thoughts for the other 11 months of the year, if we need such a major 'reminder' of God's love and His 'unspeakable gift'?

It is really not my intention to dismiss the Christmas celebration, but I pray that God will give us renewed revelation, to see as Simeon and Mary did. When that happens, there will be unending, fullness of joy on a daily basis--throughout the year--until the day comes when we stand where Simeon, Mary, and Isaiah stand now, looking fully into the glory of God's true 'Star of Bethlehem'.

Merry Christmas!