What do we find in Christmas?  I find family and traditions in Christmas, but if we focus deeper what will we really find in the meaning of Christmas. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11.  Christ is found in Christmas but the message from Christmas is even deeper.

As we gather with family during the holidays, sometimes both the worst and best comes out in us.  Christmas is reminder to me to live Ephesians 6:1-4, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  ‘Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”  As we leave our parents and have children of our own it is important to remember this verse.  But even more important sometimes as parents you have to let your children find their way back to Christ and to the respect of the verse above.  I know I have to continue to bring myself back to this verse and remember the promise that God is giving me by honoring my parents.  This season is when Christ can turn me back toward family and the importance they have always played in my life.  Christians must pass down these seeds which are planted with our children and nurtured so they are called back to their roots as adults.  I praise God everyday and throughout the Christmas season for giving me Christians parents who planted these seeds.  I know that many do not have this past, so what do they find in Christmas?  – hold that thought.  Christmas and its meaning is pasted down to our children just as scripture states in 2 Timothy 1:5, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”  Many families and I pray that my family will continue to pass the seeds of Christ which is our blessing from God.  Just as many families are generations old there are “new” families beginning the tradition of passing the Faith of Christ and the meaning of Christmas.  Passing Faith from parents to children is a tradition that represents the birth, life, and example of Christ that we find in Christmas.

Christmas and Christ birth is a deep spiritual tradition in many Christian families.  As we lose some and create new ones the traditions surrounding Christ are the ones that matter.  2 Thessalonians 2:15 reminds us to stand firm in our faith and teachings, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”  Christ is our reminder to stand as he did in our faith and his teachings for these matter most for our children.  2 Peter 1:19 reads, “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts”  Christ is our lamp of light in this world and Christmas is the reminder to us to shine his light.  How will you shine his light for others in 2017.  Shining Christ light throughout the year reminds us of the great gift and sacrifice Christ made for us, so we must stand firm in the Gospel of Christ.  Christ last commission to his disciples and to us in Matthew reads, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Again we are called by Christ to stand firm, teach, and serve.  Paul reminds the Corinthians as well in 1 Corinthians 11:2, “Now I commend you because remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.”  

Christ in Christmas is our reminder of why Christ came to man and that message is found in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Christ came to serve and therefore our reminder at Christmas should be toward service throughout the year.  Remember that question above, Could we be the reason that others around us find Christ in Christmas.  There is so much competition this time of year, but nothing that provides the hope that Christ does for those who are lost.  Christmas time can create so many distractions that our eyes can be removed from Christ but the Old Testament reminds us in 1 Samuel 12:24 to “Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart.  For consider what great things he has done for you.”  and David’s charge to Solomon in 1 Chronicles 12:9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought.”  This is a time to reflect on what God is finding in your heart this Christmas Season.  As we all reflect this season, I am reminded also in scripture of how I should be a servant of the Lord (Christ).   We will all be called to serve in different ways for Christ.  I know what he calling me to serve, Do you?  Romans 12:11 says, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”  We must be fervent in our service so that the sparkle of Christmas can cover the heartache of Christ throughout the year.  Man broke his heart and man will break ours but our challenge this season is live by his example to love and serve others so that Christmas shines through us throughout the new year.

Closing Verse: “The greatest among you shall be your servant.” Matthew 23:11

Challenge: Where is Christ urging you to serve for him this coming year?  How did Christ open your eyes this Christmas Season?  Search scripture for your answers.