Making Christmas Special

When Christmas approaches, I think of the angelic announcement.

“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.”—Luke 2:10, 11.

I’m also reminded of the prophetic declarations which preceded Christ’s birth.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,

and shall call his name Immanuel.”—Isa. 7:14.

More than seven hundred years ahead of the scheduled event, the Lord made clear that it would be an event so special that it would be totally unique. Nothing before or since can compare to it. Furthermore, He announced the location of the event would be off the beaten path in the village of Bethlehem.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth

unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”—Mic. 5:2.

Although the Lord God can do all kinds of special things that you and I could never do, there are ways that you and I can make the celebration of Christ’s birthday very meaningful and very special. May I make a few suggestions?

1. Be vocal!

As you go about town, wear a smile, be happy and say “Merry Christmas” to everybody.

2. Show your love!

As a fullfledged recipient of the love of God, you have love in your heart that you can show to others. Express your love to family and friends warmly and freely.

3. Be a giver!

As your budget will allow, do something for those you love. Even a small gift (a candy bar, etc.) to the folks who serve you all year long (bank employees, restaurants, the doctor’s office, etc.) will speak volumes to them.

4. Give Christ place!

Whether or not December 25 is the actual date is of no real concern. The fact that there is a day when much of the world takes note of Christ’s birth is pretty amazing. Christmas is not about the mythical Santa Claus, but about the miracle birth of God’s Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. We should give the Lord full place and give no place at all to the myth.

5. Sing with joy!

The songs of Christ’s birth in the hymnal are some of the world’s great masterpieces. We can sing them together at home as well as at church.

6. Distribute literature!

We have a great selection of Christmas pamphlets and booklets from which you can choose. I have written eleven of them over the years. They are beautiful in their presentation and the messages are straightforward and clear.

You can give them out everywhere along with your “Merry Christmas” greetings.

Churches will do well to give one to everybody the Sunday before Christmas or at your Christmas Eve services.

7. Keep it clean!

Alcohol flows like a river all over town, but you and I can—and we should—say “no” and mean it. Even if some of your relatives want to bring it to Christmas dinner, you can stand your ground and not let it in your house. You don’t have to be mean; just let them know that you mean it when you say “no.”

8. Celebrate properly!

When your family and friends gather, read portions of Matthew 1 and Luke 2. Sing together the familiar Christmas carols. Pray with thanksgiving for all the Lord means to us. Let the Lord Jesus be center stage at your church and at your house.

9. Give extra!

At the Lord’s birthday it seems appropriate that we give the Lord a gift by giving something extra for the Lord’s work.

10. Revisit the altar!

Yes, Christmas is a good time to push the reset button and surrender ourselves afresh to serve the Lord.

These thoughts on how we go about our observance of Christmas can help us make Christmas 2020 a very delightful and special event. I hope you will attempt to make it so at your church and at your house.

Merry Christmas, dear friend!