A Christmas Without Christ is No Christmas at All

One of my favorite Christmas traditions growing up, and one that I continue to this day is watching the movie A Charlie Brown Christmas. At some point every year we would gather as a family or sometimes by myself and watch the story unfold. As I have gotten older I have come to appreciate the simple film (it’s only 25 minutes long). What about this simple movie that makes it so special? If you remember the plot of the movie begins with Charlie Brown and the lack of happiness during the Christmas season. Charlie Brown is on the search for happiness and meaning at Christmas time but alas, it is nowhere to be found. Finally, in a scene in the auditorium Charlie Brown demands to know what Christmas is all about!

Linus speaks up, telling Charlie Brown that he knows the true meaning of Christmas. In a moving narrative Linus steps into the spotlight and quotes Luke 2:8-14:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Linus points Charlie Brown to Jesus Christ as the meaning of Christmas. It seems with each passing year we see a push to remove Christ from Christmas. Some of that push comes from a culture that denies the reality of Christ and wishes to remove it from the public square. However, some of that push comes from well-meaning Christians who get caught up in all the extra activities of Christmas. While all these extra activities, events, and traditions are not bad, they can keep us from seeing what is most important, Jesus Christ. So why does Christ need to be present at Christmas?

Redemption

One of the most devastating results of a Christmas without Christ would mean the loss of redemption. We are reminded in the book of Romans that we are born sinners and that left to ourselves we would have to pay the penalty for our sins. What is that penalty? “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Left to ourselves we would have no way to be made right with God.

Christ’s birth announcement to Joseph brings us the promise of the salvation:

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:18-21)

He will save His people from their sins. It might be popular to try to erase Christ from Christmas. It might be easy to get caught up in the busyness of the holidays, but we can never forget that without Christ the hope of man’s redemption is completely erased.

Hope

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

One of the promised hopes that we have through Jesus Christ and His work on the cross is that of an eternity spent with him. One of the results of Christ coming to earth, living a perfect life, dying and three days later leaving the tomb empty is the promised hope of eternity.

Christmas time can be incredibly painful for those who have lost loved ones. Sorrow is real and grief is present. The apostle Paul never tells the Thessalonians to not be sorrowful or to grieve. Those emotions and feelings are appropriate, but for the Christian they are not to sorrow and grieve like those without Christ. For the Christian who has lost a loved one that was a Christian that sorrow and grief is for this temporary moment. It doesn’t last because, for the Christian, they will be reunited with their loved ones one day. They will see them again, and most importantly, they will worship the Lord together again.

So this Christmas do not let others tell you not to grieve or to sorrow. It’s understandable that these days are difficult. But as you grieve, remember that one day we will be reunited and with the Lord. Our hope is not in presents, songs, or food. Our hope is in Jesus Christ alone.

Keep Christ Front and Center at Christmas

As the days continue to move us toward Christmas, keep Christ front and center. Remind yourself each day of the redemption and hope that is found in Him. Remember that Christmas is the starting point for Jesus Christ and that it should prepare us for Easter. Jesus is placed in a manger at his birth, but He is ultimately on a mission to go to the cross and then the tomb, which He will leave empty.

Enjoy family, friends, and presents this Christmas, but above all remember that a Christmas without Christ is no Christmas at all.

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