Matthew's Lectern

Every now and then, I encounter people who think Christians shouldn’t celebrate Christmas. They make some good points about materialism and syncretism, but on balance I remain convinced that in God’s providence, we are where we are and we should seek to celebrate Christmas in a godly and Jesus-centred way. What does that look like? Here’s some thoughts.

1. Let’s celebrate Christmas so that we can focus our minds for a while on the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. The sceptic can argue all he likes that we are not commanded in the New Testament to remember the birth of Jesus, but neither are we forbidden to. In fact, surely to set aside some time to focus on the remarkable event that God has truly become one of us in the person of Jesus is a totally appropriate use of our time. Let me encourage you to spend some time this Christmas season in meditation on some of the great Incarnation texts: Isaiah 9:2-7; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1-18; Philippians 2:1-11; Colossians 1:15-23; Hebrews 1:1-3. Read these passages in your houses, dwell on them in your beds, let them flood your souls. It truly is a great thing for Christians to set aside a season to truly meditate on the Incarnation.

2. Let’s celebrate Christmas so that we can grasp an opportunity to win the lost to Jesus. People are open to hearing about Jesus and coming to church at this time of year like no other. Our Christmas services are, without doubt, the services where we see most people who aren’t yet Christians coming along. This time of year gives us natural opportunities to share our faith, tell our story and invite people along to some great events. There is no greater gift we can give another human being than the offer of salvation in Jesus. Let’s dole this gift out in abundance this Christmas; let’s not keep it to ourselves.

3. Let’s celebrate Christmas with one eye looking out for the return of Jesus. The whole notion of “advent” is simply the idea of “coming”. And as we joyously remember his first advent, so we look forward to his return. While the first advent is filled with mystery and wonder, the second is going to be unfathomably glorious and splendrous and majestic and awe-inspiring.

4. Let’s celebrate Christmas without becoming materialistic. There is nothing wrong with giving and receiving gifts, eating turkey and putting up lovely trees. But if we become obsessed by these things, and that includes giving as much as receiving, we can lose our contentment and joy. Instead of being a blessed time to celebrate Jesus, it can become a chore and a grind and something to “get through”. Matthew 11:28-30.

5. Let’s celebrate Christmas and let’s have fun! God designed us to be able to enjoy life and Christmas can be a great time of family feasting, laughter and joy. Celebrate! I have vivid memories of growing up with Christmas afternoon “Charades” with all the family making fools of themselves (and one another) trying desperately to describe a movie or song without words. These are special memories. God wants us to enjoy life to the full (John 10:10), so let’s go for it!

And so, I wish you all a really happy and joy-filled Christmas and a wonderful, Jesus-centred, Spirit-filled New Year.

To God alone be the glory!