A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Celebrating Christmas"
The newscaster conveyed the prognosis; it wasn’t going to be a good Christmas this year. The economy is hurting and spending will be down. Yet, drive by any mall or retail store parking lot and you will do well to find an empty spot. And online purchases are racing through the lines. The reports indicated that as of December 12th the 2007 online sales had already surpassed the previous years’. Yes, billions of dollars will be spent and many people will go in deeper debt in order to celebrate Christmas. Many will evaluate their Christmas celebration by the number of gifts given and/or received.

“She has so many lights and animated Christmas displays drawing electricity that she has to keep her house lights turned off to keep her from drawing too much electricity and keep her electric bills manageable during December.” With that announcement the news camera focused on the electric meter than was spinning around like a just released top.  Around the country large inflated animated displays are prominently placed in front of more and more homes. Billions of dollars are spent on decorations to celebrate Christmas.

It is near impossible to keep ones weight down as many parties with an abundance of food are attended. There are more parties and gatherings during the Christmas season than any other time of the year. It is pretty safe to say that the average person will probably attend as many parties and gatherings during the Christmas season as they do the rest of the year combined. There will be an abundance of special decorations, food, and seasonal outfits. In many cases the gala can only be described as elaborate.

All of this should cause Christians to pause and ponder how we celebrate Christmas? The one we are celebrating came into the world in a lowly way. His first garments were rags torn into strips and wrapped around Him. His first bed was a borrowed animal feed box in a strange stable. He was born to an ordinary unassuming couple. (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-12) He grew up in a home of moderate if not lowly means. He died with nothing to His name except for the clothes He was wearing, and even those were wagered away. His body had to be laid in a borrowed tomb. He taught against the dangers of serving “mammon” [money/material things] (Matthew 6:24) and the tenacious grip that riches can have on us. (Luke 18:24-25) He exampled for and called us to a life of serving through selfless, self-giving love [Love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul, mind and strength; and your neighbor as yourself].

Oh yes we must celebrate! Emmanuel has come! He was given the name Jesus for He is Savior. Through Him only we are freed from sin, are made alive and are reconciled to God. Celebrate we must! But the challenge before us is how we can celebrate Him and His coming in a way that glorifies and honors Him. The challenge before us is how we remain faithful to the life He calls us to within our traditional celebration.

Beloved, are we up for the challenge? Let’s accept the challenge and learn how to appropriately and worshipfully celebrate Christmas for “in the town of David a Savior has been born to us; He is Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2:12)

Keep Close to Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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