In recent years, major retail chains have urged their employees to replace Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays as they greet and or say goodbye to shoppers. Meanwhile, cities across America continue banning Nativity Scenes from town squares, hoping not to offend anyone. All of this can be linked to greeting card manufactures, trying to save money by eliminating Christ with an X, not the actual Greek symbol. If you can’t talk about Christmas, can’t express the true meaning in a re-enactment and struggle to find a card that communicates the reason for this season, we are left with a merry mess.
At the conclusion of Scrooged, Bill Murray risks getting fired to save his company’s production from excluding the message of this sacred day. Convicted by his own selfishness, Murray goes from the production booth to the set, interrupting the live show to share what’s on his heart. Although, this is just a movie, its a depiction of how the Holy Spirit can and does fill people with a story that must be told. Unless average Americans intervene, I feel as if Christmas will become just another day on the calendar, filled with ignorant shoppers, rude drivers and a merry mess of trash around a dying tree.
According to Matthew 2:1-12, 3 Magi, experts in the stars, came from the East to follow a special star. Aware of Old Testament prophecies, these 3 men, along with their caravan, traveled hundreds of miles across a desert to follow this unusual sign from God. Bearing gifts, these 3 paid tribute to the promised Messiah, freely giving valuable offerings to Joseph and Mary for their babe. Each Magi was so overwhelmed, they dropped to their knees and worshipped the baby Jesus, whose name means, he will save his people from their sins, Matthew 1:21. This is the hope of Christmas.
If you want to save December 25th from commercialism, its time to speak up and speak out with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:13-15. Cleaning up this mess won’t happen over night, yet Peter has the right idea in 1 Peter 3:8-9. As you repay insults with blessings, the promise of Proverbs 25:21-22 will ensue. When people see examples of Jesus in others, they will begin to understand the meaning of the mass of Christ. Give God your best and let the Holy Spirit do the rest!
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 