Christmas 2020 will certainly look different from the previous years. Many people will not be with immediate or extended family. Big, elaborate dinners will be reduced to smaller intimate meals. For many, there may be few presents under the tree or perhaps, no tree at all. Yet this is where we have the opportunity, as Christians, to find out what we truly believe. Is the catch phrase “Jesus is the reason for the season” just that, a catch phrase, or does it resonate with truth in our hearts? I’m reminded of Dr. Seuss’s famous story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! After stealing all the “things” involved in celebrating Christmas, all the stuff he thought people needed, he eagerly waits to hear the moans and complaints from people crying over all that they didn’t get and don’t have. Much to his consternation, that didn’t happen.
“Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming!
IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
COVID, like the Grinch, does not have the power to stop Christmas from coming. Over 2,000 years ago, Christ came to earth and was born in a manger – Immanuel, God with us. Nothing and no one can ever change the good news for all men that was announced that day.
Christmas means more than meals, and presents, and being with family, though all of those things are special. Christmas is about Christ. It always has been and always will be. As the year 2020 comes to a close, let’s choose to focus our eyes on what really matters. Let us fill our vision with Christ and the cross and all that was done there on behalf of mankind.
As we gather around the table this December 25th, let us worship Jesus and declare the truth of what He has done. He has overcome death and the grave, He has redeemed us, He has restored us to our original position with God our Father, He has never lost a battle, His Kingdom is advancing, His Word will come to pass, and His love will never fail.
Our lives are not our own, they belong to Christ Jesus. Are we living for Him? If so, then Christmas has come. Christ reigning in us. Gloria in excelsis deo! Rejoice, Our Saviour reigns!
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)
and the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.