Skip Christmas - Celebrate Christ!

     There are many views of Christmas - from those who say it is a "pagan" holiday and shouldn't be celebrated, to those who want to "keep the 'Christ' in Christmas," to those who say, 'what's the big deal? We know it is 'Christ' we are celebrating.' Some will angrily argue their view point and even use the Bible to back up their opinion. Others happily just go on with the exchanging gifts and celebrating in one way or another.
     Many years ago, it dawned on me that as a family, we were just trading our wealth by exchanging gifts at Christmas. We purchased and received things that we didn't need or often even cared about. I wondered what we could differently to, perhaps, make our Christmas more Christian. We began providing "Christmas" for another family each year. At times, we did make a difference, but in reality, the question has to be asked, was this what God wanted from us?
     Jesus Christ came to earth to give His life to save humanity from their depravity. Should there be a "holiday" to commemorate this event? Shouldn't we skip the holiday - and just celebrate Christ? Instead of spending money on the trappings of Christmas - i.e. decorations, parties, the traditional Christmas food, shouldn't we do what Christ commanded: care for the poor and reach out to the lost? Instead of singing "Christmas carols" - such as "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas," (why would anyone living in Arizona sing such a song?), shouldn't we give our praise and adoration to the One who left the glories of Heaven to come to this messed up world and give His life for us?
     There are a great many things we can do to celebrate Christ instead of spending enormous amounts of time and energy preparing for a "holiday." We could quit being so selfish in our relationships and give of ourselves as Christ has commanded us. We could carry each other's burdens and love others as Christ wants us to. We could turn from sin - the addictions and problems we are bound up in. We could shape our marriages, families, and even churches more into the image of Christ; displaying the love of God to all those we come in contact with. We could humble ourselves, pray and seek God's face and turn from our wicked ways - that would be celebrating Christ!
     I would even take thise a step further and say that if you are not willing to love Christ by obeying Him, you should stop celebrating Christmas, or just admit that you are not celebrating Christ, but using the holiday to your own selfish ends. Think about it...