For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all…
1 Timothy 2:5-6
There are many reasons to love Christmas. For believers, Christmas is the season to celebrate the amazing incarnation of Jesus, God Himself, into the world. The birth of the One upon whom the penalty of sin would be laid. Because of sin, we have been separated from God. But Jesus would live a perfect life—perfection we can in no way attain—and die the death we deserve. Jesus, through His birth as fully man and fully God, His death, and His resurrection, redeemed us (paid our penalty), so we could be reconciled to God.
This is the gospel—the Good News.
Christmas for unbelievers, does not hold the same message. It’s about decorations, gifts, parties, and time off. (I’ll admit, though, I am counting the hours to have some time off from work!) The culture celebrates Christmas without the “Christ” part. If you think about it, it’s so weird. It’s like being a wedding crasher—showing up to a beautiful ceremony of two people you don’t know at all, and then heading over to the reception where you take part in the festivities, food, and fun. You’re going through all the superficial motions, but you aren’t really part of the celebration because you don’t love (or even know) the bride and bridegroom.
(Come to think of it, Christmas is exactly like this analogy. Christ is the Bridegroom and we, His followers, are His bride. On this earth, we live our lives devoted to Him—and our wedding reception is waiting for us in the not-too-distant future. But this amazing Truth is a digression at the moment…)
My point is this: In celebrating Christmas—in word and action—unbelievers are unwittingly talking and walking the gospel message. Christmas is all about Christ’s first coming, after all. But what’s super cool about all this Christmas cheer-for-all is when the Christmas songs begin. Long-sung carols are belted out in solo car concerts (we all do it). They’re piped through sound systems in big-box stores and business offices and elevators.
And the gospel is shared. Whether people recognize it or not, those classic Christmas lyrics are pulled right from God’s Word, sharing the Truth of Jesus Christ and why He came…and for whom. My all-time favorite song is “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” written in 1739 by Charles Wesley, and it’s an awesome example of an “inadvertent gospel” message. Here are just some of the words—let’s all sing it loudly and share the Good News.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild;
God and sinners reconciled.”
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth;
Born to give them second birth.
Adam’s likeness now efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Final Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Lord, my prayer is that the songs this Christmas prick the heart of unbelievers to know the Truth and be “reinstated” in Your love.
encouraged by grace 