Keep Christ

People look forward to this time of year for a lot of different reasons. Some people look forward to some time off from work. Others get excited about spending some time with relatives. Lots of people look forward to unwrapping presents on Christmas.

If you think about it, none of those things are really unique to Christmastime. You probably get some time off of work periodically throughout the year. You may get to see members of your family at other times as well. Plenty of people get birthday presents as well as Christmas presents. There is, however, one part of Christmas that's unheard of at any other time of the year.

Christmas music! It's the only Christmas tradition that I can think of that has a generally accepted rule about when you can observe it. No Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. To be honest, I've never quite understood that rule. If Christmas music is something that makes you happy, why not listen to it all year?

Unfortunately, there might be one other thing that is only socially acceptable to talk about at Christmastime – Christ. I always cringe a little bit when I hear someone say, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” Now, I can understand that statement properly. We want to make sure that our focus is on the Word becoming flesh, which is the reason for our joy this time of year. That's good. I'm all for keeping Christ in Christmas, but I don't want to leave him there. I want us to take him with us throughout the rest of the year as well. So, let's keep Christ in December 26^th, after you've thrown away all the wrapping paper. Keep Christ in January 7^th, after you've put all the decorations away. And keep Christ in June 6^th as well, because he's the reason for our joy then too. 

Luke 2:10,11 tells us about the reason for our joy. It says, “But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.'” This joyful message didn't just stay with the shepherds in the fields that night. It was intended for all people of all time, and it's repeated all over the world every year. It brings joy to all of us because everyone has a need for a Savior. That need is fulfilled by Jesus. May this good news bring you joy this Christmas season, and may it continue to give you joy throughout the months and years to come.