How
many of us wax nostalgic every year when we watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas”? My favorite part, of course, is when Charlie
Brown shouts out the question, “Can anyone tell me what Christmas is all
about?!” Then Linus, in his quiet firm
voice calmly quotes the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke 2. I get tears in my eyes at that point; how
about you?
“A
Charlie Brown Christmas” is cute show with a timeless message still valid for
today as Christmas time still brings out the worst of American
commercialism. There was another
campaign against commercialism in the 1980’s, which oddly enough was introduced
to us by commercialism itself. Those of
us old enough can probably remember the advertising phrase that came out on all
kinds of items from book markers to coffee mugs, “Jesus Is the Reason for the
Season”. That message is still as valid today as it was in
its introduction.
I
have been thinking about all kinds of things I can write this month that can
express just what Christmas is all about for me, but I guess it comes down to a
quote by Napoleon Bonaparte, "If Socrates would enter the room we should
rise and do him honor. But if Jesus Christ came into the room we should fall
down on our knees and worship Him!" (Shoe-Leather Faith; No. 138). To me, Christmas is recognizing just Who
Jesus is and making it a practice to welcome Him again into and as Lord of my
life.
I
highly recommend that you take a moment each day and review just what Christmas
is all about. Make it a personal
intimate moment where you recognize and acknowledge just Who Jesus is to you. Let me encourage you to visit the following
web page article by Ron Christian and click on one link in the article each day
for the next seven days to gain a stronger grasp about Christmas:
