A Suggestion for Your Christmas Celebrations

Has Christmas lost some of its meaning in our culture?  Has the season become too commercialized?  I find that most non-Christians still observe the family traditions of the season such as lights and trees, gift giving, and a festive meal with family, but none of that is really prescribed in the Bible.  As you follow some of these fun traditions, I want to challenge you to find ways to also include the real meaning of Christmas with your family.  

One easy way to do this is to simply read the biblical account of the birth of Jesus aloud during your family gathering.  It’s never inappropriate to read God’s word, but the best time to do this might be just before opening gifts with the family, or just before your prayer of blessing over a Christmas meal.  The second chapter of Luke would be a very good selection to read, and then follow it up with what the birth of Jesus means for your personally.  Including such Scripture readings in your family get-togethers will help teach others that God’s word is alive and very meaningful to you and will be a testimony to His faithfulness in your life.  You never know what type of impact this might have on someone later down the road.  Years from now, possibly even after your time on earth has come to a close, the words from the Bible which you read aloud this year may come back to minister to a young person in the room and may serve to call them to repentance and obedience in Christ.  

This is how our culture will be returned to God.  It will not begin at the ballot box.  It won’t even begin in our school systems.  It will only begin in our homes, with our families.  Some of you may already have such a tradition, but if not, I challenge you to let this be the year that you start.

Blessings, 

Pastor Bruce

bruce.cullom@gmail.com