Christmas: Still Way "Too Few"?

Too few, even those with little or no religious interest, would deny that Christmas in America is primarily today a material-based celebration. Many now turn most of their attention on gifts, decorations, parties and other similar issues connected to the year's biggest day.

Too few today can any longer well explain what the Incarnation is, what it means, and why it is so infinitely crucial to every last soul on earth.

Too few equate Christmas to be much beyond a jolly, toy-toting old man with a flowing while beard and wearing very large red suit. His odd little helpers, with large pointed ears, are also typically front and center.

Too few boast serious outdoor manger scenes in favor of those adorning Saint Nick, a slew of fictitious flying
deer and perhaps surrounded by snowmen in one form or another. There are often random angels in the mix, but with a seeming disconnect or ignorance to their vital importance to the event. Sometimes a manger scene will be included but  highly overshadowed by an array of wintery figures from a variety of random sources. And of course, manger scenes have even been prohibited in recent times so as to not offend anyone -- despite the fact that many will then celebrate the holiday where Christ's name makes up the bulk of the term.

Too few ever really pause and analyze the theologically profound words of the classic seasonal hymns even though they know almost every word by heart from their childhoods.

Too few, while watching the seasonal favorite show, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, ever ponder the author’s intended point. That shining moment comes when little Linus takes the cartoon stage and begins his precious biblical discourse. He begins first, “I’ll tell you what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.” He then quotes, from memory, the story of the Savior’s miraculous birth as found in Luke chapter two.

And a most serious too few will ever place the babe of Bethlehem later on the cross of Calvary even when the manger scene does briefly occupy minds usually bogged down more with “visions of sugarplums” dancing in their heads.

Yes, Christmas has become far “too few” while becoming far too complicated, far too materialized and far too secularized. But despite what far too many miss, its true meaning and value can be quickly summed up in a short semi-familiar poem sometimes seen at this sacred time of the year.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

 In Bethlehem, God gave to us

The source of Christmas joy;

A star shown on a miracle:

The virgin birth of a boy.

He was born both God and man,

A Savior for us all,

The way to get to our heavenly home,

If we just heed His call.

So as we shop and spend and wrap

And enjoy the Christmas season,

Let’s keep in mind the sacred truth:

Jesus is the reason.

Again, far too few today grasp or appreciate this simple sacred truth. But those who do, and who know by faith “the reason for the season”, are blessed both uniquely and eternally. Their understanding allows them to experience a truly Merry Christmas because they alone know that Bethlehem was just a miraculous starting point and one that led only to Calvary. The Incarnation was always connected to the crucifixion. That was the final destination of the journey. That was the cradle in the shadow of a cross. That was the intended goal. And that brought the gift of all gifts offering forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ to a lost race!

We pray this Christmas that you are one of the redeemed few. But we also trust that the few might soon became the many and be counted among those who have fully trusted in “the reason for the season” -- the Savior of the soul!

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."  (Matthew 1:21)

 Bill Breckenridge