Xmas - Christmas

309 xmas christmas"Therefore, holy brothers and sisters who partake of the heavenly calling, look to the apostle and high priest whom we profess, Jesus Christ" (Hebrews 3: 1). Most people accept that Christmas has become a boisterous, commercial festival - most of the time Jesus is completely forgotten. Emphasis is placed on food, wine, gifts and celebrations; but what is celebrated? As Christians, we should be concerned about why God sent his Son to earth.

Christmas embodies God's love for human beings, as we read in John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life". God wants us to enjoy the decision He made to send His Son to this sinful world. It started with a child in a crib in a humble stable.

An interesting secularization of Christmas is the abbreviation that has become common with us today - "Xmas". Christ has been taken out of the word "Christmas"! Some justify this by saying that X stands for the cross. If so, it remains to be seen whether those who use the word will understand the explanation.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior with friends and family, we should make sure that we look to Him: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the preparer and perfection of faith—because Jesus knew the joy that awaited Him , he accepted death on the cross and the shame that accompanied it, and he is now seated on the throne in heaven at God's right hand (Hebrews 12:2).

As they open their gifts at Christmas, remember what the apostle James wrote in chapter 1:17: “Only good gifts come from above, and only perfect gifts: they come from the Creator of the heavens, who does not change and by whom it there is no change from light to darkness". Jesus was the greatest Christmas present, not Xmas (Christmas).

Prayer

Thank you, great, wonderful Father, for sending your precious Son as an infant - one who would experience all the experiences that life brings. Help us Lord, that in this happy time, we look to Christ as the center. Amen.

by Irene Wilson


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