Celebrate With Abandon

The Christmas season is in full swing. Decorations are out, trees are being trimmed, the music of Christmas is in the air, and for a full month, Christians have a wonderful opportunity to proclaim that Christ is among us, Emmanuel, God with us. In a short article from the Ragamuffin Bible, Brennan Manning writes, Once a year the Christmas season strikes both the sacred and the secular spheres of life with sledgehammer force. Suddenly Jesus Christ is everywhere. For approximately one month his presence is inescapable. You may accept him or reject him, affirm him or deny him, but you cannot ignore Him. Of course, He is proclaimed in speech, song and symbol in all the Christian churches. But he rides every red-nosed reindeer, lurks behind every new doll, resonates in the  most desacralized "season's greetings." Remotely or proximately, he is toasted in every cup of Christmas cheer. Each sprig of holly is a hint of his holiness, each cluster of mistletoe a sign He is here.

I love this season of the year because as Christians we can proclaim the Lordship of Christ with abandon. While some Christians feel the need to defend "Christmas" from "Happy Holidays" or the "holiday season", Manning is correct when he says that God's presence is inescapable. Instead of defending, let's celebrate. Let's tell a watching world that Christ came to earth because of God's great love for us. This Love that desires to find us, to embrace us, to live with us forever.


And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God,and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. 1 John 3:23-24

So, let's get out there and celebrate, as you shop, as you gather with friends and family, as you decorate your homes and businesses, as you attend concerts, church services, and parties. Let's bring some peace and joy to a world that desperately needs both. As John tells us, love one another...and by this we know that He abides in us. Merry Christmas.