Preparing for Christmas
by Pastor Bill Pevlor

     Thanksgiving 2000 is now just a memory with a few lingering leftovers. Now we’re marching headlong into Christmas. Many earnestly began the hike weeks ago. Others, like myself, will dawdle until a few days before and then have to sprint to arrive on time.

     I once knew a woman who would do all her Christmas shopping at the clearance sales in late December. She would buy her wrapping paper at half price, wrap her gifts, tag them and store them in a closet until Christmas the next year. I’m in favor of planning ahead, but that always seemed a bit extreme. Although, the idea has an increased level of attractiveness when one is waiting in a checkout line December 24th.

     Thinking ahead is a sound practice. It’s very practical for Christmas shopping. Thinking ahead also can be vital from a spiritual standpoint. With all the preparation for gift giving, guests, holiday parties, school and church pageants we often neglect to prepare spiritually for Christmas. All that hustle and bustle can crowd out the true meaning of Christmas.

     Each year I am amazed at how far society has strayed from the celebration of the birth of our Savior. (Excuse me as I take a stand on my soapbox for a moment.) Somewhere under all the twinkling lights, tinsel and wrapping paper you’ll find the Christ child. But don’t expect to find Him much on secular television.

      There are hundreds of Christmas specials on television. They are filled with beautiful winter scenes, jolly Santas, and plenty of “peace on earth,” “good will to men” and “Christmas spirit” material; but where is Jesus? Ninety-five percent of the shows will not mention Jesus. That really curdles my eggnog! If you’re not going to even mention Christ don’t call it a Christmas Special.

     Because of the diversity of our nation I wouldn’t expect every Christmas Special to be the biblical account of Christ’s birth, but you would think, with the major role He plays in Christmas, He would occasionally get serious consideration. (Ok, I feel better now, I’ll step down from my soapbox and back to the topic of this article; being prepared, spiritually, for Christmas.)

     We take a lot of time and effort to prepare for all the other aspects of Christmas, let us not neglect to prepare spiritually. Before I became a Christian I knew Christmas was the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but I really didn’t understand why. I didn’t understand the significance of Jesus being born. Now that the importance of Jesus’ birth is no longer a mystery to me, Christmas is more meaningful and satisfying.  Now, it’s not just a gift-giving gala, but a commemoration of God’s love.

     So, How do you prepare? Begin by reading the biblical account of Jesus’ birth. You will find the angel Gabriel telling Mary of the birth to take place in the first chapter of Luke, beginning in the 26th verse. An angel also told Joseph in Matthew 1:18-24. The birth of Jesus and the angels appearing to the shepherds is in Luke 2:1-20.

     Read these passages with your family and discuss what it means that Christ came into the world. God loved you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, so that if you would believe in what He came for, you would have eternal life with God in heaven (John 3:16). So why did He come? He came to take the punishment for your sins.

     Jesus lived a perfect life, never committed a sin; He did not deserve to be punished. Yet, He took the punishment for our sins so we wouldn’t have to. It is God’s greatest gift! A gift we can receive only by faith; by trusting in what Jesus did for us.

     This Christmas season, receive God’s greatest gift; the gift of His son, Jesus. Then, give God your greatest gift; yourself. Give Him all of your life, not just Sundays and holidays. Commit the rest of your life to serving Him and obeying his commands. Get involved with a Bible-believing/Bible-preaching church and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

     If you’ve already received the “gift” of salvation by faith in Jesus and given your life to the Lord in return, then focus your efforts on sharing the true significance of Christmas with others. During the Holiday Season, people seem more open to the “Good News” of Christmas. It would be very selfish to have such a wonderful gift and not share it with others.

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Victorious Faith Ministries
219 State Street, Algoma, WI 54201 
Phone:  920-487-5775

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