It’s Almost Christmas
Christmas Day is drawing closer. How will you celebrate Christmas this year? For many people, Christmas is all about Jesus and “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”
For many people Christmas is all about Santa, Rudolph, and the other reindeer. But sadly, for many people they will miss Christmas again this year. December 25th will be another day on the calendar. When we reflect back on the first Christmas almost two thousand years ago, there were several people who missed that first Christmas.
One person was the innkeeper. We know nothing about this person, but if “there was no room for them in the inn” there must have been an innkeeper. The innkeeper ran a business that was prospering because of the decree from Caesar Augustus. It has been estimated the amount of people in Bethlehem was triple the normal number because of the people who had arrived in obedience to the decree. The innkeeper missed Christmas because of preoccupation with business. Many people will miss Christmas this year because they are preoccupied with life, career, or other pursuits.
Another person who missed that first Christmas was Herod the King. He represents political people who will miss Christmas and the real meaning of Christmas. He did not even think about Jesus until two years later when the wise men arrived from the east. We thank God for political people who love the Lord, but it appears many of them do not.
A group of people who missed the first Christmas were religious people. We could even include in this group the intellectuals. There were intellectual people called the chief priests and the scribes. They missed that first Christmas because even though they had all the information they needed, they failed to properly act on that information.
However, for many people, this will be their first Christmas as a Christian because some time since last Christmas they have claimed Jesus Christ as their Lord. When they give and receive gifts this year that whole experience will take on new meaning. They will reflect on the greatest gift a person could ever receive.
How can we make sure we do not miss Christmas this year? First, remember Jesus is and always will be the real reason for the Christmas season. Second, acknowledge and accept God’s marvelous and matchless plan of salvation from sin. It all began with that virgin birth, and it culminated with His sacrifice on the cross.
The way to receive this gift can be found in some selected words in Romans 10:9-13. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” I hope you have your greatest Christmas ever this year!
