jlanthripp's Journal: Christmas...

With all the bull-manure marketing blitz this time of hear, and people worrying about the credit card bills they'll get in January because they thought they just HAD to spend $5,000 on electronics for Little Johnny and a necklace for Cousin Jenny, and people getting offended at hearing the word "Christmas", and people salivating over their forthcoming Christmas bonuses, it's occurred to me that maybe some people need a reminder of why we celebrate December 25, so here goes:

Luke 1:26-35

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Luke 2:1-16

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David); to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

This, my friends, is what we celebrate on December 25. It's probably not the actual birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it really doesn't matter. It's the day we celebrate this, the greatest gift in the history of the world, given by the Lord God Almighty to all the people of the world. The gift of Jesus is eternal salvation; though we fall short of the glory of God, He gave us his only son, Jesus Christ. Through Him we can redeem ourselves in the eyes of our heavenly Father.

So you see, Christmas isn't about a fat guy in a red suit distributing presents via the improbable method of shimmying down people's chimneys. It's not about getting a new XBox or a plasma screen television or a bit of bling to wear on your finger or around your neck. It is the day on which we celebrate the greatest gift of all.

Merry Christmas to all, glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good will toward men.