The decorated trees, homes, and businesses remind us that we are fully engaged in what is called the “Christmas Season”. But looking over the landscape of our homes, communities, churches, states, and nation, one must ask, “What [season] have we truly entered?” Almost on a daily basis we hear news reports of the Ten Commandments being cast aside under the guise of “separation of church and state”; attempts to take God out of our “pledge of allegiance”, as well as off our currency; God’s institution of marriage between a man and a woman being assaulted through infidelity, homosexuals, divorce; church officials abusing children; children being murdered through abuse, abortion, greed; and God’s Word being watered down by preachers who substitute preaching the “whole counsel of God” sermons for “warm-and-feel-good” messages.
One must now ask, “Haven’t we really entered into the “[X]mas Season” – instead of the “[Christ]mas Season”?” As the days go by, Christ is continually being squeezed out of the season. Stated another way, as the days go by, Christ is being squeezed out of our lives, our homes, our communities, our churches, our states, and our nation.
Though all of this may sound dismal, let it be understood that there is still “hope”. Christ can be the center of the [season] – but you and I must place Him there, and this will only occur if Christ is truly at the center of your heart. Some 2000 years ago an angel of the Lord appeared unto some shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks by night and heralded a great proclamation. Luke 2:8-14 records,
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Let us take note here that the shepherds not only “heard” the proclamation – they “trusted” in the good news and “responded” to it – and they found the Savior, who is Christ the Lord [the Son of God Christ Jesus]. You will never be able to truly place Christ in the center of this season until you “hear” God’s Word [Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”], “trust” the proclamation through faith that Christ Jesus promised to save you if you will repent and receive God’s gift of salvation [John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”], then “respond” and call upon Christ Jesus to save you [Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”]. At the very moment you call upon Christ Jesus to save you and place Him in the center of your heart, you can truly state that you have entered into the “Christmas Season”!!
I pray that if you have already trusted in Christ Jesus to save you that your daily walk with the Lord [especially during this season] will be ever thankful, full of praise, through a heart of “giving” – for Christ’s greatest gift of eternal life through His death on the cross of Calvary and His resurrection from the grave is truly the reason for this season!! Do you personally know the One who is the reason for the season?
