Christmas – with all the bad publicity from certain people or even Christian groups remains, still, an opportunity to honour Jesus.
Christmas – with all the commercial distortion and blatant consumerism remains, still, an opportunity to proclaim His name.
Christmas – with all the shallow entertainment and social media distractions remains, still, an opportunity to worship Him.
Paul would have been thrilled to witness this. He wrote, “…But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice” (Philippians 1:18).
Among the multitudes that are caught in this whirlpool, there may some who would ask, “What is Christmas all about?” “Why is it called Christmas?”
Christmas is about a story—a birth story.
Every story carries with it an invitation; every story expects the reader to respond to it.
The Gospel of Matthew records two responses caused by Jesus’ birth story:
The wise men from the East. They saw a rising star in the East…heralding a new born king. They could have recorded the event; write a doctoral dissertation, earn a PHD. But, no. They set up on a journey which had one purpose: to worship the new born king of the Jews.
King Herod the Great. When King Herod heard the birth story of Jesus, he responded in fear—not for his life, but for his throne.
The Christmas story carries an invitation for you, too. How would you respond? Will you response be awe and worship or fear or indifference?
Who is this Jesus? In the words of the wise men, he is the “the new born king of the Jews…” (Matthew 2:2).
But He is more. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
“On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:6).