Christmas Every Day

As I write, it is the day after Christmas. Already, my mind is shifting gears, preparing for our New Year’s Eve pinochle party, and resuming youth group. As much as I love all of our Christmas decorations, I’m planning when I should start the process of packing it all up.

So often, we pack the message of Christmas up with the decorations, storing it away until next December. Jesus has become so familiar that we lose the awe of who He is and what He took on flesh to accomplish. If we were asked in April or July what the Christmas story is about, we could verbalize it, but day-to-day we function with Christmas amnesia. No wonder throughout the Old Testament, God would remind the Israelites that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. Even after the plagues, the parting and crossing of the Red Sea, and deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites were quick to build a golden calf, to grumble, and to be fearful. They forgot who God was and what He had done. They needed continual reminding.

Paul also recognized our need to be reminded: “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you” (Philippians 3:1). It is safe for us to be reminded of Gospel truths, of the Christmas message because we are prone to forget. We are prone to live as if the message of Christmas is just for December.

Matthew West’s song “Day After Christmas” counters Christmas amnesia.

Here comes the letdown Christmas is overHere comes the meltdown, there goes the cheerBut before we have a breakdown, let us rememberThe light of the world is still here

Happy day after ChristmasAnd merry rest of the yearEven when Christmas is overThe light of the world is still here

The Light of the World is still here. He is still with us. The message of Christmas is still needed every day.

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).[1]

Matthew 1:21-23

Throughout December we have considered a few of the different names of Jesus to expand our thinking beyond baby Jesus in the manger. Jesus did not take on flesh so that we would have a picturesque scene for Christmas cards or beautiful carols to sing. He took on flesh for one purpose. From the moment of His conception and birth, He was on a mission, a march to the cross to save His people from their sins, to reconcile man to God.

Every day we need to remember our Savior who died for our sins to save us from the wrath of God we deserved. Every day we need to remember Immanuel, God with us. We are not alone. We need to remember the Light of the World in the darkness that seems so prevalent. We need to remember the Good Shepherd who cares for, leads, and protects us. We need to remember Jesus, who He is, what He has done, and what He will still do. The names and titles of Jesus reveal His character and His purpose. They remind us of truth. They even remind us of who we are in and because of Christ and what we are called to as those who are redeemed.

This list is not exhaustive, but it is a place to begin to help you remember the message of Christmas every day.

·      Immanuel (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14)

·      Lamb of God (John 1:29)

·      Alpha and Omega (Revelation 22:13)

·      Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

·      Bread of Life (John 6:35)

·      Redeemer (Isaiah 59:20; Titus 2:13b-14a)

·      Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4-8)

·      The Word (John 1:14)

·      I Am (John 8:58)

·      Son of God (Luke 1:35)

·      Light of the World (John 8:12)

·      Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5-6a)

·      Cornerstone (Isaiah 28:16)

·      The Vine (John 15:5)

·      Glory of the Lord (Isaiah 40:5)

·      Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3)

·      Consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25)

·      The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)

·      Lord (Luke 2:11)

·      Morning Star (Revelation 22:16)

·      Good Shepherd (John 10:11; Psalm 23)

·      Messiah (John 1:41)

·      Son of Man (Luke 19:10)

·      Christ (Matthew 16:16)

·      Savior (1 John 4:14)

·      Jesus (Matthew 1:21)

·      The Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45)

·      Advocate (1 John 2:1)

·      Almighty (Revelation 1:8)

·      Author and Finisher of Our Faith (Hebrews 12:2)

·      Beloved Son (Matthew 12:18)

·      Creator (John 1:3)

·      Deliverer (Romans 11:26)

·      Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14)

·      Image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4)

·      King of kings, Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15)

·      Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)

·      Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4)

·      Son of David (Matthew 1:1)

Reflection

1.     Pick one name/title of Jesus to meditate on each day or week. Read the Scripture that goes with it. Look up other verses that have the same name/title of Jesus. What does the name/title reveal about who Jesus is and what He has done?

2.     How does the name/title of Jesus put a current circumstance into perspective? How does it change your way of thinking about a sin struggle? Be specific.

3.     I typically wait to turn on Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, but a good way to remember the true message of Christmas every day is to listen to CHRISTmas songs throughout the year. Listen to and sing a song each week or day that teaches the true message of Christmas.

4.     Romans 6:23 says: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Ephesians 2:8-9 reads: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” And John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

The Father gave His only Son that we might be saved. Jesus willingly gave His own life to redeem us (Philippians 2:5-8). God is a giving God. As we purposefully remember the true meaning of Christmas every day, we should reflect our giving God by being giving people. Each week be deliberate in how you can love, serve, and give to others. There may be many ways you do this but choose at least one way to specifically give each week.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 1:21–23.