The Real Meaning of Christmas

What if we thought about Christmas the way the very early followers of Jesus did? What if there were no lights and no trees and no Christmas carols? None of the wonderful symbols and traditions that we enjoy today? What would Christmas mean to you then?

This is what one of the greatest preachers of the early church thought:  

Come, then, let us observe the Feast. Truly wondrous is the whole chronicle of the Nativity. For this day the ancient slavery is ended, the devil confounded, the demons take to flight, the power of death is broken, paradise is unlocked, the curse is taken away, sin is removed from us, error driven out, truth has been brought back, the speech of kindliness diffused, and spreads on every side, a heavenly way of life has been ‘in planted on the earth, angels communicate with men without fear, and men now hold speech with angels. 

St. John Chrysostom

Wow!

What if we approached Christmas like that? What if we viewed Christmas not just as a time of family, food and happy traditions, but as a day of spiritual power and breakthrough?

We don’t have to lose the beauty and wonder of our Christmas traditions to experience Christmas more deeply. God is pleased when we smile! He loves us like we love our own children. He rejoices with us around the tree.

But he also weeps if we lose sight of the deeper meaning of the Incarnation.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭

Many people find Christmas to be a depressing season not a joyful one. If that is because of loss or sadness in your life, it is nothing to be ashamed of. God enters your sorrow and loneliness! But if Christmas is not joyful for you, be sure it’s not because you’re missing what you really need out of Christmas. Don’t miss what Isaiah the prophet was talking about.

Lights and presents won’t fulfill you, but the Wonderful Counselor will! The Mighty God becomes human so that he can be your father, your ABBA, your Dad! And when this father enters the place where you live, He brings peace. Because He is the Prince of peace.

This is the fullness of Christmas. This is what so many are missing. But you don’t have to miss it.

As John Chrysostom said, “the power of death is broken, paradise is unlocked, the curse is taken away.”

Really, what more could you need than that to have a truly merry Christmas?

Those very first Christmas worshipers understood exactly what we need today. Those shepherds, in their outcast, impoverished loneliness, saw what others could not see, experienced what others would not experience, and it changed them at the very core of their being.

“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭

You and I have “heard and seen” too. Now let’s go and tell! And praise God with the shepherds and with our brothers and sisters around the world and in heaven itself.

Joy to the world! The Lord has come! And He is truly all that we need. Merry Christmas, everyone. John Avant