reflections
WHAT ARE YOU CELEBRATING THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON?
BY DINO MICIANO
Christmas is a time of celebration. Traditions vary on how the Christmas holiday is celebrated. People decorate their homes with lights, buy gifts for their loved ones, some hosts Christmas parties, others watch Christmas TV specials, while others travel long distances to be with families. When Christmas comes, you just can’t miss it. It’s everywhere.
But Christmas is first and foremost, a celebration of the birth of the World’s Savior. Luke 2:8-14 is where it all began:
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Through Jesus, God himself, came down to earth to remind us that he is always with us. Whether you feel it or not.
You see, behind all the celebration are people who may find this holiday very stressful.
You may have just lost a job, or were abandoned by a spouse or by people whom you thought were friends. There may be a rift between a parent and a teenage child. Others are reminded of their loved ones who have passed away. While some may be facing the sting of racism, bigotry or intolerance. I feel a heavy burden for all these folks but let me remind you that God has not abandoned us. God himself came to earth.
God did not come to this world because he is out to get us. Instead, he came to be a Savior for us. That’s the reason the angel announced to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
God is not mad at us. On the other hand, he is mad about us. He loves us. He came to earth to be our Savior. As we celebrate this season, let’s celebrate first and foremost, the celebrant – Jesus. He is the answer to our deepest miseries and concerns. He came not just to save us from our circumstances but ourselves. He came to pay the price for our sins. He came to heal. He came to be with us.
Will you make Jesus, the main reason for your Christmas celebration? Will you trust him to restore your broken heart and your broken life? Will you trust him for your eternal future? God came, through Jesus, as the Savior of the world. He alone can bring true joy as we celebrate this season.
Dino Miciano
Pastor
NetWork Christian Church
