I was listening to a Christian radio station the other day on my way home from work. In fact, it was the day after Christmas, December 26. After a Christmas song had finished, the announcer – DJ, came on and said: “Now that Christmas is over we’ll start looking toward the new year.” He said it, just like that. Just like I typed it. With absolutely no emotion. Just another day. Just another announcement. It’s over folks, next… Maybe he just has that kind of voice, maybe he was busy looking over the next announcement, maybe he was just plain glad Christmas was behind him. It just struck me as odd. Christmas wasn’t even cold and we’d bounced right on to the next thing. The biggest event in history didn’t even get 24 hours of recognition.
I wanted to yell wait, stop, holdup dude. I’ve been preparing for months, 22 hours a day. I’ve cooked, cleaned, wrapped, scheduled, partied, and decorated and it’s over – just like that! Say it ain’t so! Christmas can’t be over already.
Well, if truth be told, I’m a little glad Christmas is over too. Sigh. Why so, you ask? To be frank, it’s exhausting. No, I’m not a Grinch – I love, love, love buying gifts for others, I love, love, love my tree and my house being decorated for the Season. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Christmas Season – reflections on the Reason, Sunday worships, time with family. But it starts in JULY!!!! Come on, people. You know, it used to be that Christmas preparations didn’t start until Thanksgiving. A few years ago, they (whoever they are) moved it up to Halloween – costumes and Christmas trees coexisting. Now Christmas is advertised alongside swimwear – the manger beside the patio furniture. What will it be next? July 4 – Uncle Sam and Jesus? Before long Christmas and the Resurrection Cross of Christ will be on the same shelf side-by-side. Then guess what, it will be Christmas alongside Christmas. I’m exaggerating, just a little, maybe.
But wait, just think about that for a minute. The Christmas Season year round. What would that look like? Not the tree, the decorations, the gifts, the celebrations. But the Christmas Reason year round, daily. Celebrating the birth of the Messiah our Savior, 365, every single day of our life – December to December!!
The Savior of the world has come, and I don’t know about you, but I need a saving. By the way, you do too. Shouldn’t we be proclaiming with great enthusiasm and with great emotion that the Savior of the world has come and that He is available to all? Shouldn’t that be the announcement – it’s not over, it’s only just begun! Shouldn’t we be saying look what He has done for me – for you – sent His Son, and He’s yours for the asking? Afterall…
He forgives all my sins (too many to count)
and heals all my diseases (my spiritual, mental and physical ailments – too many to count)
He ransoms me from death (He died so that I would not – in my stead!)
and surrounds me with love and tender mercies. (Morning by morning new mercies I see.)
He fills my life with good things, (too many to count – blessings abound!)
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s (He gives me strength and power to rise above!)
The Lord gives righteousness and justice to those who are treated unfairly.
(The Lord protects His children!)
He revealed His character to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel.
(He shows us who He is!)
The Lord is merciful and gracious;
(He doesn’t give us what we do deserve; but He does gives us what we don’t deserve.)
He is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.
(His patience and love toward me is unbelievable!)
He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. (With Him, forgiven is forgotten.)
He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does He deal with us as we deserve.
(too many to count)
For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. (This wondrous love cannot be measured – His love for us is too great!)
He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west.
(He forgives our defiance and makes us willing to obey Him.)
The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.
(He loves us so much that He sent His Only Son to Save us!)
Psalm 103:3-13
The Bible is full of the Reason to celebrate the Christmas Season, year round. Check it out. Commit this year to finding the Reason, to living the Reason, to announcing the Reason. Shouldn’t Christmas be celebrated every single day of our lives? How will we do that this year? How will we keep Christ in our hearts every moment of everyday? Impossible, you say? Not! He shows up for every celebration, He always accepts the invitation.