Most of the reasons some individuals do not celebrate Christmas pivot around: “We don’t know the date of Christ’s birth”; “Christmas is commercialized and materialistic”; “Most Christmas traditions originate in paganism.” To the many who do, Christmas means different things. The following are examples: “Christmas to me means when you think of people that love you and the people who are loved by you, not just all the presents and the decorations; It’s all about giving and receiving and spending time with your loved ones”; “Christmas means to me spending time with family that you haven’t seen in a long time.”
Personally, the historical and scriptural foundations of Christmas are essential, lest it be relegated to mythical memories. But, on the other hand, the phenomenon of Christmas is more than historical remembrance, scriptural formulations of doctrine, and an amalgamated cultural celebration.
When the angels announced to the shepherds that “for you is born this day in the city of David, a child who is the Saviour, Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11), the plural pronoun need not be interpreted only of the shepherds, nor of the nation of Israel, but for all men. In which case we may personalize the “for you” to be inclusive of God’s objective to apply the implications of the incarnation to our own lives, as the Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ is available to live and be enfleshed in us.
Christmas does not find fulness of meaning for any individual until they allow the Christmas reality to transpire within them personally by the introduction and indwelling of the life of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Subsequently, Christmas comes alive and is enacted every day as we allow Jesus to become the incarnate expression of divine character in our behaviour within our families, our workplace, our culture, and wherever we might be.
The One who was born ‘incarnate’ must continue to live and allow for His similar birth in others. The One who was raised from the dead in resurrection must continue to live to invest His life in others. As we celebrate this season, remember: “The divine objective of the incarnation was the spiritual regeneration of individuals throughout the entire human race and throughout the course of human history.”
Consider carefully what Christmas means to you!
To all our Pastors/Workers, congregations throughout our District, thank you for remaining faithful to the Cause of Christ. On behalf of my wife, Jennifer; Children – Deryck, Roger, Kimberly, Kerray-Ann; Grandchildren – Denisa, Amelia, Ruel; and District Executive members, I wish you a Christ-centred holiday season and a Christ-focused New Year!
In His Love: NETD Presiding Bishop
Raymond Boca