The Christmas season is here!  It is that time of year that so many people love and enjoy.  The pretty lights and decorations, cozy fireplaces, music, food, and time with family all make Christmas truly one the “Most Wonderful Times of the Year.”  However, what is Christmas really about?  People will say that Christmas is about the birth of Christ (Isaiah 9:6), but is Christ truly the center of all they celebrate and do this time of year?

God gave us His only Son as a gift to the world that He might save men from their sins (I Timothy 1:15).  Giving Jesus to us was God’s gift to the world, but what has Christmas become?  Little children are taught to covet and take rather than give.  “I want this” and “I want that” for Christmas has become a common theme for most as they sit on Santa’s lap and tell him all the things they want to receive, rather than give!

Think for a moment of all those people for whom Christmas brings an unwanted burden. Think of that single mother who struggles everyday to provide for her children that can’t afford much.  Think of that family in church that you know works hard, but are still struggling to make ends meet.  Think of that woman you know who recently lost her husband for whom Christmas this year without him, will most likely be a sad and lonely time for her rather than joyous.  You see, Christmas is a time to think of others and not of ourselves.

What can you do this year for someone else and truly make Christmas a time that is centered on Christ and bringing men to their Savior? Maybe you could make Christmas cookies for your neighbors and hand deliver them with a couple of Gospel tracts attached to them.  Perhaps you could adopt a family in your church who you know are working hard to provide, but could use a few presents for their kiddos for Christmas.  What about dropping of a gift card to a single mom for nearby grocery store, gas station or restaurant.  Maybe you could take your whole family to dish out a meal at your local homeless shelter.  Remember, we don’t ever want to enable those who can work, but simply choose to live off the system, so use discernment and find out who really is in need and who is really not. Most importantly, think of how you can bless someone else.

Christmas is not about Santa (Whose very presence takes away from Christ and is the opposite of what Christ stood for – what you can “get” rather than what you can “give”), carols, good food, parties, or getting everything you want.  Christmas is about Christ.  How would He want you to celebrate His birth?  By bringing the Gospel message in whatever way you can to everyone you meet.  Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”  The Bible also says in Acts 20:35, “…It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

So, let us look outwardly this year and not inwardly.

Let us truly make Christ the focus who has so greatly blessed each and everyone of us.  Can you see?  You are blessed.  Can you walk?  You are blessed.  Did you eat today?  You are blessed.  Do you have use of your limbs?  You are blessed.  Do you have someone who cares about you?  You are blessed.  I could go on and on.  As the old song goes…

Count your many blessings

Name them one by one

Count your many blessings

See what God has done

So, enjoy this season and the many blessings that come along with it, but make sure you know why you are celebrating and who and what your focus should be upon this whole Christmas season… Jesus Christ and seeking and saving that which is lost (Luke 19:10).