Why Celebrate Christmas?

It was meet that we should make merry and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.-Luke 15:32

This is an unusual text for Christmas. Yet, I think its Central to understanding the Holiday in our modern context. Some people have sworn off Christmas due to its rampant commercialization. The question then today is why should we celebrate Christmas?

The answer to that for the Christian is clear. We were dead and now we are alive. We were lost and now we are found. That right there is enough to celebrate Christmas. Its meet and its fitting that we celebrate with merriment and joy the Birth of our salvation.

Even in the practice of gifting, we can find some spiritual significance. There are many gift giving occasions throughout the year. We can get gifts for having children, we can get gifts for being born. What do we do to get a gift on Christmas? Nothing. Despite the Santa myth, all the gifts we receive on Christmas have nothing to do with what we’ve done. We receive gifts because of what He has done.

So, I’ll conclude by wishing you all a most Merry of Christmases. May you experience the love of Christ in your celebration. No matter how humble or extravagant your gifts, remember that the greatest gift comes in knowing Jesus. Amen.

—–