Celebrate Christmas! (1)

The word celebrate means to rejoice, delight in, revel, and appreciate. Jack Hayford wrote, “There is so much done in the name of Christmas that is neither pleasing nor honouring to Christ. Even so, I find myself doing battle…with…religious superstitions which argue against almost every observation of Christmas…against giving…against decorations, trees, or just plain fun, as though such participation defiled something holy. Such harsh debunking is nothing more than ‘holy humbug.’ A Christmas tree…is a specific statement…By means of this tree we are saying: We believe in celebration. We serve the God who ‘gives us richly all things to enjoy’ (1 Timothy 6:17 NKJV) and who through history assigned…sacred appointments of feasting and rejoicing…‘great gladness’ (1 Chronicles 29:22)…Although no one can make a ‘biblical case’ for Christmas trees, we gather around ours with joy. We see in its living branches a symbol of everlasting life given us because of Jesus’ death on the tree—whose naked crossbars Xed out death and ushered in forgiveness…and eternal hope. The lights…gleam a testimony of His Light-of-the-world glory. The ornaments reflect the decorative splendour with which His kindnesses adorn our lives. The star beams hope, with a heavenward ray, reminding us that from there He shall come again to receive us.” As you gather around the tree this Christmas, don’t forget to celebrate the One who said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me…will have the light of life” (John 8:12 NIV).