Celebrate Christmas Part 1

O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me.” Hosea 14:8

The word ‘celebrate’ means to rejoice, delight in, revel, and appreciate. Jack Hayford writes: ‘There is so much done in the name of Christmas that is neither pleasing nor honoring to Christ. Even so, I find myself doing battle…with…religious superstitions which argue against almost every observation of Christmas…against giving…against decorations, trees, or just plain fun, as though such participation defiled something holy. Such harsh debunking is nothing more than “holy humbug”. A Christmas tree…is a specific statement…By means of this tree we are saying: We believe in celebration. We serve the God who “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17) and who through history assigned…sacred appointments of feasting and rejoicing…”great gladness” (1 Chronicles 29:22)…Although no one can make a “biblical case” for Christmas trees, we gather around ours with joy. We see in its living branches a symbol of everlasting life given us because of Jesus’ death on the tree – whose naked crossbars X’ed out death and ushered in forgiveness…and eternal hope. The lights…gleam a testimony of His Light-of-the-world glory. The ornaments reflect the decorative splendor with which His kindnesses adorn our lives. The star beams hope, with a heavenward ray, reminding us that from there He shall come again to receive us.’ As you gather around the tree this Christmas, don’t forget to celebrate the One who said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me…will have the light of life’ (John 8:12).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, keep me focused today on You – the Light in the midst of Darkness, that brings Hope and Joy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen