It may be because I grew up in the Bible Belt. It may be because I grew up in a very small community. I don’t know what it is, but Christmas has always really had only one meaning for me.
At the moment, media in all formats are pitching “Black Friday.” A good Black Friday means our economy is getting better and we may finally be seeing an end to our bad economy.
Stores are gearing up for it, too. Many have decided to open their doors at midnight rather than wait for the regular opening time. I don’t know how many people are going to be able to pry themselves up off the couch after all the turkey and football, but as Pope said, “hope springs eternal.”
Black Friday is not what Christmas is all about. It’s not even close.
Along with Black Friday, there’s a lot of focus on gifts. Stories abound about how to pick the right gift for this or that sort of person. Others explain why certain gifts are a really bad idea, especially in certain circumstances.
People spend a lot of time shopping for gifts. It’s one of the chief concerns from Thanksgiving till Christmas Eve. I’ve already been asked a few times if I’ve started (or finished) my Christmas shopping.
Christmas is not about the gifts we buy one another. However, the idea of a Gift is a little closer.
If you came from another culture and had never heard of Christmas, you might think it’s all about the fat, old guy in the red pajamas. I’m not exactly making fun of Santa, but it sure looks like he’s the main reason we celebrate.
You can see him at every mall. He’s on street corners, ringing bells for donations to various charities. If you check, he might not be either old or fat, but made to look that way so he can hear all the wishes kids have for Christmas.
Christmas is not about Santa. But, it is about a Person.
Christmas is about the birth of Christ. It’s that simple, and yet it is one of the most complicated things that have ever happened on Earth. A virgin conceived and gave birth to a Son. He was born for us. He was born to heal all who come to Him. He was born to die for our sins and to take life up again so that we might not taste death.
Christmas is about the greatest Gift ever given. That Gift is Jesus Christ, Son of the Most High God. He is what Christmas is all about.