We get reminded abut
Christmas many times before the event on our calendar, but it is not
the reason that we should expect. The reason for the Christmas
season is not to honor the One Who was born, that is, made flesh over
2,000 years ago. The reason we are reminded today is for the sale of
items and to promote the idea of gift giving during this time of the
year. People spend a lot of time calculating just how much money
can be spent in the days prior to Christmas and in these days it
amount to billions of dollars. Therefore, sellers of merchandise have
a large stake in what takes place in the market up to and including
December 24th. Gift giving has become a popular and very
lucrative business and finding new ways to entice the buyer into the
market place are continually being sought after. The science of
marketing has overrun the intent of the Christmas story.
Matthew 1:23-25 says, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and
shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which
being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from
sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him
his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn
son: and he called his name JESUS.”
God used the word “gave”
in John 3:16 indicating that His Son was given to us for the purpose
of salvation. Perhaps this is the initial source of the idea of
giving something to celebrate Christmas but the marketing of gifts
has taken over and the end goal has been shifted from the event that
inspired it all and instead focuses on the breaking of the record of
the most money ever spent during the final days of the Christmas
season countdown. We probably won't be able to stem the tide, so to
speak, this year or the next. Mankind has a mindset that is more
inclined towards sinfulness rather than the actual reason for the
coming of the Savior in the first place. We probably already have
our plans set in stone as to what is going to be expected on our
calendar in the next few days. We will visit here and there. We
will eat food that we would not normally eat the rest of the year.
We will bring and accept gifts hoping that on one is left out. We
may sing some traditional songs that we only sing once a year. We
will look at and admire the biggest and tallest Christmas trees and
try to outdo the neighbor with the amount of decorations that we can
put out. At some point, we may even take a look at Luke 2:1-11 or at
least have it read to us from a pulpit, TV, radio or perhaps from our
own Bible. The majority of the world will then cease from the
Christmas market and head for the next event. It may be New Year's
or it may even be Valentine's day as once more, we will see how much
we can achieve or spend for the next holiday. For many, they will
forget the event that shook the foundation of the world on that night
over 2,000 years ago and that even changed the calendars. A lot took
place between the First Advent and the Ascension of the Lord Jesus
Christ including the death, burial and resurrection of our Blessed
Savior. Because of all that, we now have hope, peace, love and joy
in our live, or at least, it could be if you know Him as your Savior.
The marketing of Christmas should be overshadowed by the prophecy of
Isaiah 7:14 and the fulfillment as mentioned in Matthew 2:23-25.
Perhaps you will be excited beyond measure at the story of the angels
appearing to the shepherds and their proclamation beginning with,
“Don't be afraid...” As we head into the final days of the
season, take a long and satisfying look at the4 Biblical account of
how it was back then. Praise God that He sent His Son to be our
Savior. He is the Best Gift of all.
No comments:
Post a Comment