Devotion 2: Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10-11 

Every December, we are bombarded with messages telling us that Christmas is about getting the best deals, decorating perfectly, and giving extravagant gifts. I take that back; it really starts in October. I know people who start listening to Christmas music on October 1st and have their tree up before Halloween. That might be a little extreme for my personal taste, but I have to admit that even now, as I write this, I have a “real feel” Christmas garland in my Amazon cart, and it is only February (though to be fair, it is in the saved for later section). No matter what your personal convictions are regarding these things, you have to admit that the pressure can be overwhelming. However, Christmas is not about what is under the tree. It is about Who was laid in the manger. In a culture that often tries to remove Christ from Christmas, the real battle is not fought in the courts or the stores. It is fought in our hearts. Will we be consumed by the world’s version of Christmas, or will we fight to keep our focus on Jesus? I say it every year at Christmastime, “Jesus is the reason for the season!” However, we need to ask, “Do I sincerely let that truth penetrate my heart?” 

Matthew 6:21 reminds us that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The world says our treasure is in stuff. The focus is on more presents, more decorations, more activities, and more indulgence. However, Jesus came to offer us a greater treasure: Himself. When we focus more on buying the best gifts rather than celebrating the Giver, we lose sight of the greatest gift of all, which is salvation through Him! I often think of the two sisters in the Bible from whom we can glean so much. We can find their story in Luke 10:38-42 (NIV). One of the sisters, Martha, was “worried and upset about many things,” while her sister, Mary, simply sat at Jesus’ feet. Now, the things Martha was striving to get done were not bad things! Yet, Jesus told her, “Mary has chosen what is better.” This Christmas, are we more like Martha in being busy, stressed, and distracted? Or are we like Mary, being focused on Christ? The enemy wants to replace worship with worry, devotion with distraction, and Christ with consumerism. It does not have to be like that! We get to choose. 

So, how do we, as Christians, win the battle in our hearts and reclaim Christmas? First, we need to reset our focus on Christ. Include your family in this refocusing! Pray together, read the Christmas story (Luke 2) throughout the season, and make worship a priority. We also need to resist the push of consumerism. Simplify! Give generously, but do not let the pressure of materialism rob you of your peace. Most importantly, we need to remember the joy of salvation. The angels declared the “good news of great joy!” Jesus is the reason we celebrate. He is the reason for the season!