One week from today is Christmas! But what is Christmas? Most believers recognize that Christ was most likely born on a different date, even in a different time of the year.

I am convinced that if God had wanted us to make a big deal out of the birth of His Son He would have included a few more pertinent details, such as a date. But moving on to my own history, I remember as a kid having a tree glowing with lights, stacked with gifts, accompanied by notes of Christmas music floating in the air, and trips to grandparents – long trips from northern Maine (then later central Maine) to southern Maine – more gifts, more relatives and lots more food. As time progressed some of you entered found a place in my memory. But one may have these memories without having anything directly related to the birth of the Messiah. And so, over my life time, and I am sure that this trend started long before that, we have been witnessing, and may even have had a part in, the secularization of this holiday.

In some ways, I am pleased that more non-believers are opting out of saying “Merry Christmas” and that our secular schools are not doing Christmas any more. (Though the extremes that we are witnessing of emptying our schools of all historical memories of our heritage and traditions is a grave and tragic error.) The secular American may observe 'whatever' or not as they wish too, spend as much money or not, and decorate profusely or not.

Likewise, we believers should not be tied too tightly into our American way of doing Christmas, for Christ is far bigger than any American tradition. And over the years that is what has been occurring in my own heart, and I think to some extent in my family as well, that the trappings are free to come and go because the entrance of God into the world as a human being moves us to awe and worship each and every day of the year.

Lastly, God never encourages us to make a big deal over the birth of Christ because without his death, according to the Scriptures, and his burial, and resurrection, according to the Scriptures all would be empty, meaningless! Leaving us with the option of eating, drinking and making merry for tomorrow we die! However, since this unique Son of God – come in the flesh as man – did happen, we look forward to grace and judgment upon his return. While we wait we worship, and rejoice with joy inexpressible, filled with glory, on any day.

This year I believe I celebrate with perhaps more worship and joy than I ever have. We also have fewer decorations. These two do not necessarily go together. I desire most to worship well, with Joy and Hope, so that others might see and that they too might someday have this same Hope and Joy that comes from the King of kings and Lord of lords.

I close with a couple of verses from Hebrews: Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (7:25 ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (11:6 ESV)