Christmas time for most of our culture today is all about Santa Claus, presents, Tik Tock Christmas Dances, lights, and Christmas Trees. We have taken the only reason Christmas exists and removed it from our lives. In reality, Christmas would not even be a holiday if it were not for the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, born in a stable in Bethlehem. Yes, this time of year is joyful and exciting, but it is those things because of the hope, peace, and love that Christ brought into the world when He was born. In the midst of this consumer-based holiday season, we must remember who brought about this day and keep our minds and lives focused on praising Him.

I know it can be very easy to be distracted with your long to do lists around Christmas time. Serving the needy shelters, baking cookies for your neighbors, making Christmas cards to spread joy and cheer… It is so easy to get distracted and forget about the real reason we celebrate Christmas throughout the month of December. However, I urge you throughout this holiday season to place your thoughts upon Christ and the real gift that God sent us on that Christmas day years ago.

When you think of Christmas what are the first thoughts that typically run through your mind? Santa Claus, Reindeer, gifts, Christmas music, Christmas lights, Christmas trees? In reality, most people do not think of Christ first when this question is posed. Why is that? Because culture today has made Christmas more about the gifts of this world rather than the gift that God sent to us from heaven. The truth of the matter is gifts normally are the focal point at Christmas, not Christ. Can we really present the true meaning of Christmas when we focus mainly on receiving things? When God sent His son down to earth, there was nothing that we did to “earn” His coming. Christ was sent to be the Salvation of the world and God freely gave Him up so that He could do so. God gave us the best gift and yet many of us neglect this gift to only receive gifts of this world. Isaiah 9:6 says “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” What better gift could we ask for? So I have to ask, does your family celebrate the gifts of this world or the gift of Jesus Christ?

Children have this moral obligation to be good throughout the year so that “Santa Claus” will come and bring them lots of toys. What does this teach our children? Now I am not telling you to not entertain your children with the thought of Santa, but I also am not encouraging you to do so. What I am saying is that we must teach our children that their actions are pleasing or displeasing to God. Our children must learn to see their own sins rather than thinking they have this chubby guy with a white beard and red outfit deciding whether they are on the naughty or nice list. We must speak truth to our kids. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36) This holiday season I urge you to remind your kids of their actions and how it displeases God when they do sinful things. Santa isn’t our savior, Christ is. No hope can be found in Santa Claus.

Christmas music is always fun for family gatherings and to get our families in the holiday spirit. It brings happiness and fun into our homes. Yet through our contemporary Holiday music, we forget the enriching Christmas Carols that remind us of the night that our Savior came to dwell among us. If Christmas only exists because of Christ, shouldn’t that mean that our Holiday praise is all about Him? I think many of you would agree that “Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the newborn king” is a lot more edifying than “Here comes Santa Claus.” Please do not misunderstand me. I do not think it is wrong to listen to secular Christmas music however if the only thoughts that are being brought forth in your mind is Santa Claus or Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire then you have your focal point all wrong.

So, if Christmas is all about Christ then doesn’t that give you more of an opportunity to witness to those family members who don’t know Christ? Family gatherings are a common thing throughout this holiday. Many families go to four or five different houses between Christmas eve and Christmas Day. If all of our talk revolves around the score of the football game and never brings up the birth of our savior then is Christ really the focal point? Isn’t Christ supposed to be the real purpose of Christmas? My family recently started this new tradition a few years ago. As my family gathers around the tree on Christmas day, before any gifts are opened, the Christmas story is read. This keeps our hearts and minds upon the true meaning of Christmas. Not only does it remind us of Christ and the salvation that He brought into the world, but it also brings the gospel to those within our family that might not believe. Our hope is that in doing so we will remember that Christmas is about the giver of salvation and without Him there would be no Christmas.

So, I challenge you. Throughout this Christmas season make sure that your family keeps the focus of their hearts and minds on Christ. May our prayers be centered on Christ and spreading His message to the lost. May our daily devotions reflect the real reason of Christmas that Christ came as a babe in swaddling clothes, living a life just like we live, yet sinless and perfect. Let us remind ourselves of the Salvation that entered the world on that wonderful night. This year take the time to be intentional and plan a Christ centered Christmas with your family. Jesus is the reason for the season!

The dearest idol I have known,

Whate’er that idol be,

Help me to tear it from thy throne,

And worship only thee.

-William Cowper (1772)