William E. Vaughan, otherwise known by the pseudonym: Burton Hillis, an American columnist and author once remarked: “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” James 1:17 reminds us: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
Christmas is defined as the annual Christian festival celebrating Christ’s birth, held on the 25th December in the Western Church. It is a time for a reflection on the love, joy, family union and giving that God represents. Its spirit represents a mood or attitude that's appropriate to the Christmas season. That is characterized by feelings of goodwill, benevolence, and a willingness to enjoy oneself. It can also be described as a time of togetherness, selflessness, and forgiveness.
Matthew 1:18-25 reminds us: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”
Jesus is not only considered the light of the world, He is the truth of life. John 8:12 confirms: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” His coming brought hope for many and His subsequent death and resurrection created the opportunity for eternal life. The truth of life conceives the understanding of its complexities, with a meaning and a purpose.
One of the primary purposes of Jesus’ coming was the restoration of God’s image in mankind. Sin had overcome the world in several respects and had significantly diminished the idealism of what God wanted from His children whom He had created. His people needed to be taught new perspectives to aid, and overturn the evil that existed and create a better life. It opened the doorway to salvation through the redemption of sin. Jesus’ suffering on the cross replaced the need for man to suffer for their iniquities and provided a hope of eternal life.
For many, a Christmas tree is an essential part of Christmas. It is defined as an evergreen or artificial bush decorated with lights, tinsel and other ornaments during the season of Christmastide. The tradition of decorating Christmas trees was first introduced in the late 18th century, and became popular in the 19th. In Christianity, it represents a symbol of Christ’s birth and resurrection. Immortality is suggested in its branches which are often considered to represent Christ’s crown of thorns placed on His head prior to His crucifixion on the cross. Jeremiah 10:1-5 reminds us: “Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”
The Christmas spirit is a general feeling of goodwill, joy, generosity and kindness to another. Happiness is intended to prevail. The preparations in the lead-up to the festive period may be time-consuming and tiring, but Christmas is a time to rejoice. It often includes the exchanging of Christmas cards, the singing of carols, giving and receiving gifts from friends and family, a reunion of distant family members, and perhaps more importantly, the love of God that was given by the birth of His Son in an earthly environment.
It is a time of forgiveness from past heated disputes that may have severely damaged relationships, a time to rekindle the love that once prevailed. A host of activities may prevail depending on individual circumstances and conditions including parties, sumptuous banquets, games etc; but what if someone is alone, destitute, forlorn, anxious, in grief or in another form of personal sorrow. How do they participate in the festivities? The season will feel very different for them. In our joy, can we spare a thought for them?
Their joy of Christmas may be lost, and the hope of a happy life becomes a distant memory. A good Christian remembers those less fortunate than themselves. A kind word, a friendly visit, or listening to their troubles can make all the difference. Romans 13:8-10 reminds us: ”Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Thomas S. Monson, an American clergyman once remarked: “Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.”
Jesus is renowned as the light of the world. His teachings and examples revealed the way forward for the formation of new strategies and a beneficial life. He brought hope to many, comfort to others. By His light, our pathway to the righteousness of God is illuminated. The Christmas tree lights may glow in the darkness, but their illumination display comfort, a hope and assurance for a better life to come. Isaiah 2:1-5 reminds us: “The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”
Amen.
