Christmastime is here!

It's that time of year when the radio begins playing classic Christmas songs, when garland and tinsel take over retail stores, and when I have my annual Christmas blog. I have already pulled out my Tran-Siberian Orchestra CDs, along with Handel's Messiah and a little bit of Kenny G's Christmas album. And as always I'm thinking of what Christmas was like in time past. I think back to the era of Bing Crosby and Gene Autry; the era of war, family values, and a belief in God. I think back to the time of Handel proclaiming the glory of the Son of God in a way that makes the hearts of kings burn. I think of the snow-laden long, long ago with rich hymnody and sincerity and desire to proclaim Christ with the richness of feeling and divine affection found in those divine songs.

Then I come into our era. My first astonishment is that the word "Christmas" seems more edited now than it ever has been. Phrases like "Have a nice Holiday," "for your special Holiday," "holiday season," don't really anger me, but make me ask the questions, "to which are you referring?" And then when "Christmas" is used, it is spoken of as more of a fairy tale about the fat man in the red suit, seeking to inspire our children to belief something that takes way more effort than believing in Jesus. On top of that, people bring up the theological argument that Christ wasn't born in winter, but maybe in the spring or in the fall? That kind of takes the celebration down a notch, but really it doesn't matter. God came to earth in the form of helpless Babe. Who cares when, I just care that.

In all of the decoration and preparation for this season; in all of my thoughts and longings, I find myself anxious to put myself back into the story of Jesus' first coming again. The wonder, the awe, the mystery that God became flesh and dwelt among us is in itself sufficient reason to celebrate the day. Regardless of the official birth date, regardless of the blatant disregard of secular public celebrations of the fat man in the red suit, regardless of trying to reclaim CHRISTmas. I will celebrate the mystery and enjoy that He came to earth, died and rose again; putting my sin in the grave and giving me His new life.

So I say, Merry Christmas and offer the following: Hebrews 1:1-4; Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-3. Enjoy the God who became man to save us.