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In the craziness and turmoil that will define 2025, it becomes easy to lose sight of the bigger picture, which is that Jesus is the savior of all mankind (humans, male and female).
He paid a price that offers us a path to eternal life.
The intense commercialization of Christmas (it began in September in 2025) also makes it easy to lose sight of Christmas.
Churches and local governments have made bold attempts to remove Christ from the Christmas story.
While it is true that the Roman holiday Saturnalia was adopted by the Christian church in the mid-4th century to celebrate Christ, December 25th has become synonymous with his birth.
And, while traditionalists reject the idea, the reality remains that Jesus was born, just as the scriptures say.
A reflection is an image of something.
In this case, Christmas reflects what the Christian life is supposed to look like.
Christmas is a time of Joy.
“About that time, Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire.
This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.
So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there.
He went with Mary, his fiance, who was pregnant.
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.
Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:
A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.”
Luke 2:1-11 The Message
God’s word regarding Jesus was fulfilled exactly as the scriptures said it would be.
Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth offers a bonus, a choir of angels.
Try to imagine the atmosphere in Heaven when God’s plan to bring Jesus to earth was set in motion.
I imagine a time of intense joy as the event unfolds on earth.
The angelic choir is evidence of what all of Heaven must have experienced.
The joy was so intense that it spilled over onto earth (at least, that is how I imagine it).
The beauty of God’s plan is found in the simplicity of its execution.
For example, Jesus came to earth as an infant.
Joseph had no reason to travel to Bethlehem, but Mary had to be there to give birth to her son. God put it in the heart of an unrighteous ruler to count everyone in his kingdom. Everyone had to travel to their ancestral home to be counted.
Joseph went out of obedience, but God sent him there to fulfil his word.
Think of how powerful that is in your life.
How many times has something done out of obedience been the plan of the Father to fulfil his word for you?
(I don’t have an answer, but the answer might amaze you)
In a town overcrowded with people, the excitement of Heaven spilled over onto earth in a darkened field with a handful of shepherds and their sheep.
Shepherds were not high in socio-economic status at the time. They were, in fact, looked down upon.
But God had his angelic choir spread the joy of Heaven in the field near the town where his Son was introduced into the world.
Why didn’t he choose to have the angelic choir appear over the town of Bethlehem?
There could be many reasons, but God chose the simple shepherds to share his joy with.
The joy of the angel’s news filled the shepherds’ hearts and emotions.
The joy that filled their hearts overwhelmed them to the point of action—let’s go and see.
The evidence of the joy—seeing the baby—overflowed to the shepherd, announcing what they experienced to everyone they saw as they were leaving town.
I recall a children’s Christmas song (I did not take time to find the author) that went something like this.
Christmas is a time of joy,
Not because of gifts and toys,
But because God gave his Son to redeem us all.
In this reflection, Christmas is a time of joy, which means this:
Joy is supposed to fill your heart during this season.
Because Christmas has become so commercialized, it is easy to lose sight of its meaning for Christ-followers.
It iisn’tthe amount, price, or size of the gifts you receive (or give).
It is about THE gift God the Father gave to humanity—the promise of eternal life through his Son, Jesus Christ.
Joy is supposed to be shared with others, especially during this season.
I grew up in Miami, Florida. In my lifetime, it has always been an international city.
During the Christmas season, it was common to pass people (total strangers) and say Merry Christmas. The gesture was met with a smile and a Merry Christmas in return.
Over the years, it has become inappropriate to say Merry Christmas, as it might offend the recipient because of their beliefs.
How absurd.
How am I supposed to know your particular belief?
What is wrong with the individual responding, “Happy Hanukkah” or “Kwanzaa”?
(The answer is, nothing)
In a post-modern society, it is relevant to remember our humanity and that we are social creatures.
So, spread some joy by wishing people Merry Christmas.
Joy is supposed to be found in the message of Jesus.
While it is true December 25 has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ (other than the fact that it has been designated as the date of his birth), it has everything to do with sharing joy.
As a Christ-follower, Jesus is supposed to be the reason for our joy.
As a Christ-follower, Jesus is supposed to be shared with those we meet.
As a Christ-follower, Jesus is the reason for the season, so why not share him?
The call of the Spirit is going out across the land for light bearers and (wisdom-speaking) truth givers to bring the words of life to a lost and dying world—one person at a time.
The journey is exciting and scary, and I am thankful to everyone willing to follow along as I take it.