KEEPING THE CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS


  The Christmas season is here and I already hear some of the Christian
community beginning the annual discussions. Who took the Christ out of
Christmas? Or, "Jesus: the reason for the season". So maybe it is time
for a few reflections about this time of year. I do not think that most
people view Christmas as a religious holiday. After all, most people
are not really Christian. I know that most of the world sing the 
religious songs (Silent Night, Away in a Manger, O Holy Night), and
many people go to church the Sunday before Christmas (second in 
attendance only to Easter). We even see lots of manger scenes and hear
talk about baby Jesus and His birthday.

I am afraid that it becomes very easy and convenient to focus on the
Christ in Christmas and then live like everyone else the rest of the 
year. Christianity is not the celebration of a season, but a 
commitment to a lifestyle. We are about peace on earth, giving and 
family every day of the year. Maybe Christians are the ones that do 
not need to celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. Jesus is the 
reason for December 25, and July 12, and March 5, and September 22, 
and every day of my life as a Christian. Celebrating a birthday does 
not make a family. The other 364 days together make a family. The 
real good news for our world is not that we should celebrate this 
special time of
thinking about Jesus, but to hear that Christmas is just one of a 
lifetime of days to celebrate. And if the world is thinking about 
Jesus during this time, then we have even more opportunities to 
testify to the real good news.

Maybe Christians are the ones that do not need to celebrate Christmas
as a religious holiday.

So will I think about Jesus this Christmas? Yes I will; just like I 
will think about Him and celebrate His life, death, and resurrection 
every day till He comes back to take me home. If you want to make 
Christmas a religious holiday, be sure it is not the only time you 
celebrate Jesus.