I’m Glad It’s Christmas

It is Christmas, a day that has faced its share of debates and discussions.

I’ve known people who wanted to ignore Christmas because “it’s not in the Bible.” A preacher in my childhood church refused to buy trees, string lights, or engage in any trappings of the season.

Another believed it was wrong to wear red to church during December. You might be secretly celebrating Christmas.

The truth is that Christmas sneaked into human calendars.

Climatologists scratch their heads when they read of shepherds in the field in December. The weather was not conducive, nor fit the culture shepherding pattern.

Pope Julius I circled December 25th in the calendar and decreed it the day Christ was born. Most likely, this was to placate pagan citizens who felt they were losing the winter solstice celebrations.

Trees, candles, and gifts entered the Christmas stage at various times.

Charles Dickens softened the season with his A Christmas Carol. W. Clement Moore (the author of Twas Night Before Christmas) and an advertising executive completed the persona of the jolly round Santa with the flowing white beard.

Indeed, the early church did not celebrate December 25th as the day of Jesus’ birth.

But I am still glad it’s Christmas.

The cynics among us can advance their humbug, but they ignore something more significant.

Once a year, people who never touch a Bible get to hear it, even if it is from the lips of Linus in A Charlie Brown’s Christmas.

I’m glad it’s Christmas.

People grow kinder and more disposed to giving and selflessness. People drop coins in red kettles and give food to the poor. It goes with the season.

I am glad it is Christmas.

Jesus gets recognized a little more at this time of year. We tell of Joseph and Mary, of a manger cradling God in its cypress lumber. Shepherds hear angels sing. In a selfish and back-biting culture, we need more of the giving Christ.

I am glad it is Christmas.

Luke and Matthew tell us of the birth of Jesus from two perspectives. But each has a message that one cannot ignore.

On an unknown date in a town named House of Bread, a baby was born at the worst possible time and way. It was a baby like us. He cried and wet.

But something was different about this baby. His name would give his destiny–salvation. Jesus was God come to earth in human flesh.

Those who believe he gives the right to become children of God, according to John. He made the blind see, the lame walk, and the dead live. While doubters have come and gone, the true story has remained.

Regardless of the skeptics and hum-buggers, I am glad it is Christmas because, at Christmas, we see something we need. God came to earth so we can go to heaven.

So doubt if you must. Ignore if you will. Or celebrate into the wee hours of the night, Jesus came to earth to save sinners.

I’m glad it’s Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Robert