Pure Christmas Joy
Every year, without exception, we are admonished to remember what Christmas is all about but how many really do? Christians hear sermon after sermon along the line of keeping Christ in Christmas but how many only go so far as simply making the pious statement without application? How many people really experience pure Christmas joy? How many can relate to the “Christmas joy” of Mary which was centered on God’s working in the birth of Christ? “And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” – Luke 1:47.
The Christmas season, commercially, is basically a repeat of history when the world exploits the season to put more money in the coffers. The Christmas celebration by churches can also be mere repetition of the same church Christmas activities with more emphasis placed on performance rather than ministry. We have our church plays, pageants, and cantata’s but must wonder how many people will leave the church more impressed by the performance than moved to joy over the birth of Christ!
I read a story of 13 children carrying 13 letters spelling out the words: BETHLEHEM STAR. The children who carried the letters for “STAR” accidently went in backwards and the words, “BETHLEHEM RATS”, were displayed on the stage. I would suggest, by way of application, that we allow nothing to “gnaw away” at our having, “pure Christmas joy” on this Christmas, 2023. I close with two questions. Do you know the Christ of Christmas in salvation? Will you, as a Christian, ask God to guard your approach in celebrating Christmas and help you to not allow any “rats” to eat away at your pure Christmas joy?
Chuck Peters – 11/26/2023
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