Throughout the course of history Christmas in the West became a human event usurping its origin as a God event. Anyone visiting the West, perhaps even specifically the midwestern United States, and had no knowledge or experience with the season of Christmas would find it difficult to discover the origin of Christmas if all they had to base their judgment on was what they encountered in the market place. The exact analysis of their conclusions would be impossible to accurately state, but what can be accurately stated is that their conclusions would not depict that Christmas in the Midwest is a glorious celebration of a GREAT GOD who had generously given his ONLY AND HOLY SON in exchange for the peoples freedom from their bondage to sin and death.
The truth of this claim comes not from deep historical analysis, but by a novice using simple deduction. How could a different conclusion be drawn, based on what Holy Scripture teaches verses how Christmas is generally celebrated today? If the Christmas event was conceived through the Word of God as recorded in the Old Testament, for example the prophet Nathan says to King David, “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”” (2 Samuel 7:12–16, ESV). If the Christmas event was realized through the birth of the Living Word of God as recorded in the New Testament, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Luke 2:11; John 1:14, ESV) Then, the only conclusion possible is that God, the Author and depositor of Christmas, has had the glory of the original Christmas Spirit, indeed His very own glory, hijacked by mutinying Christmas beneficiaries having the audacity to replace the heavenly glory with their own dark and malignant glory!
According to sacred Scripture God’s purpose for the Christmas event began in a spirit of serving, was realized in the same spirit and continues unchanged! Christmas has, is and always will be, in its truest sense, a celebration of God’s service to us, and so our grateful response to Him, through our service to one another! “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (Matthew 20:28, ESV) Because the character of God is one of absolute joy, gladness and holiness He finds pleasure in serving! Consider that His service is not even to those identified by their piety, but by their rebellion, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV) What a display of ungratefulness when one considers that God, in a spirit of infinite kindness and grace, rescued mankind from an all encompassing culture of despair, misery and death through the immeasurable gift of His Son is honored for HIS efforts with “black friday” promotions, Christ-less “Christmas” parties, divided and cantankerous family dinners, and an all-around spirit of greed and selfishness.
All who claim the name of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior must celebrate Christmas like the “Whos” of “Whoville.” Though the greedy grinch had stolen all their toys and food the Whos continued to celebrate Christmas with hearts of thanksgiving and gratitude. The Whos understood that feasting and exchanging gifts is but a small symbol pointing to the greatest gift of all and to the ultimate feast that awaits all who have placed their hope in the Savior. Although, the symbols were temporarily taken the Spirit of Christmas remained as vibrant as ever and the Whos were able to continue the celebration with as much passion as ever. Indeed, their humble gratitude and peaceful celebration even managed to win the ole Grinch over.
The season of Christmas is an opportunity for God’s people to demonstrate to the world the true spirit of Christmas; the spirit which has always been one of service to others. When this happens, not only does the original purpose of the Christmas event regain the throne, but perhaps many Grinches, who live around us, will be won over.
