It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go…” is how an old song sang by the late Bing Crosby began.

Christmas decorations in store windows and Christmas music playing over the intercom system, help to set the mood. Yes, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Come to think of it, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas the week before Halloween in some of the stores.

It’s all so commercial — so materialistic. I have to ask “isn’t there something down deep that we are missing? Where is Baby Jesus?”

When I was younger, I thought that this time of the year was when people think about God and good will toward mankind more than they do at any other time. I still believe that is the feeling we should have. Yet, recent news startle and awaken us to a reality that reveals a hurting society in need of a savior. Mixed in between the commercials, decorations and music we know that all is not well.

If believers are not careful, we can get caught up in the secular spirit of Xmas. “Xmas” is what you get when you take Christ out of Christmas. Christmas has been covered up by humanistic secular commercialism for so long that perhaps we need a refresher on what the season is really about — as the old saying goes: “Jesus is the reason for the season.” It is evident that this world needs a Savior. There is good news. There is one.

Believers set this time aside each year to celebrate the birth of the Savior of all humankind. We recognize this holiday as the fulfillment of the promised Messiah who was Jesus of Nazareth.

The cheerful “Merry Christmas” greeting sometimes gives the impression that everybody is glad that Jesus came to our world. But that isn’t true today and it never was. The news of Jesus’ birth evoked a mixed reaction.

We know from Matthew 2: 10-11 that the Magi (who arrived about three years after his birth) joyfully welcomed and worshiped the Messiah. Luke 2: 8-20 records the reaction of amazement and wonder by the shepherds and the shock and awe presented to them by the angels. But king Herod and his court was so troubled and worried when he heard about it that he tried to find the baby Jesus and kill him. Most people, however, were unaware of the significance of what had happened.

Today, multitudes honor Jesus and rejoice in their salvation. But many others hate him. For fear of offending someone they say; “Happy Holidays” not “Merry Christmas.” They grumble about the singing of Christmas carols and the display of nativity scenes in public places.

Others are apathetic. They don’t think of their need for a Savior or a need to believe on him and receive him as their Savior. When we take Christ out of Christmas, we have a winter-feast and nothing more. Are you among the indifferent? To ignore Jesus and his claim is to reject him. Christmas demands a decision about the Messiah. And the choice we make has eternal consequences or rewards.

For the Christian, Jesus is the Passover lamb found in Exodus 12. We know from Luke 2:15-16 that when Jesus was born, shepherds came to honor him. We know from Matthew 2:8-12 that wise men brought him gifts. These people had no idea what Jesus would eventually accomplish as an adult. But they were right in doing what they did, because Jesus’ birth was the most remarkable event in human history.

How amazing, God in human form. Never hesitate to celebrate this baby at Christmas. This baby grew into manhood, lived a perfect life, and willingly died for our sins. We cannot look at the manager without seeing the cross. Have you accepted God’s gift of Salvation? If not, I invite you to do so today. If you do, I promise you that this will be the most meaningful Christmas you have ever had. Then you can truly say; “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” every day.

Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we praise your name. Thank you for the most perfect Christmas Gift ever. In Your Son’s name we pray. Amen.

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Rev. Bill Ferguson is pastor at Sherrill United Methodist Church.

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Editor’s note: Pastors or associate pastors interested in writing a Devotional Column may submit articles to pbcnews@pbcommercial.com. Please include your phone number and the name and location of your ministry.