Words from Co-pastor Rogers: "Keeping Christ in Christmas"

Merry Christmas everyone! Today is a day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We have read, been taught, and heard the story of the birth of our Lord from Matthew and Luke’s Gospel. The sad and amazing part of this story is that Jesus is born in a manger because there was no room for him in the inn! Wow, the Savior of the world was born in a stable! As T.D. Jakes stated, “He was born amongst animals, preached to men, walked on water, went home on a cloud and sits with the Father surrounded by angels!” The story of Jesus’ birth should remind us that God has a plan, and despite the craziness of life, God’s plan will be fulfilled.

However, I believe our society continues to make the same mistake with Christ that the Inn Keeper made when he stated there was no room for Jesus. 2000 years after His ministry, we continue to crowd out Jesus even during His birthday! There are three culprits that trick us into crowding out Jesus

Culture- Somewhere in time (in an effort not to offend) it became offensive to say Merry Christmas! The thought was there are so many other and people who don’t believe in religion at all (atheists) that in order not to offend and be inclusive we say Happy Holidays. However, I believe the primary message of Christ was exclusivity. For John 14:6, Jesus states, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me.” I believe we lose a piece of ourselves when we aren't true to our beliefs.

Commercialism- The Christmas Season has been hijacked by capitalism and greed. This has become such a dominant part of the season that many do not identify with a Savior who was born in a manger with animals. Not only is the Christmas Season hijacked, but many can’t be thankful during Thanksgiving because of the rush of “Black Friday” that now starts at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. Some spend all year in the red in order to pull companies in the Black! In some years this theme may have worked, but in an economy that is the worst recession since the Great Depression, this commercial theme is painful and reminds us of its vanity. Jesus warns against this in Matthew 6:24 where he states, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Santa Claus- As the Father of a three-year-old, I was overjoyed and convicted at the same time when my daughter became excited about the myth of Santa Claus! Santa Claus represents part of the magic that is found in the holiday season. He reminds us of our childhood and the anticipation and excitement that are found on Christmas Eve. Many people become depressed when that “magic” is lost because love ones are no longer here for the holidays. However, Jesus does not need any help from St. Nicolas! The Christmas story is amazing and supernatural by itself. John 1:14 sums it up perfectly, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” God becoming us, in order to save us from sin, is far more amazing than a man in a red suit delivering gifts!

My friends, I challenge you to remember to keep Christ in your Christmas. Don’t allow Culture, Commercialism, or Santa Claus to distract you from the real reason and message of this season! That is Jesus Christ!