By Chris Terry
We are rapidly approaching Christmas, and I know that for many of us it is a joyful, but also overwhelming time of the year. We are buying things for family members, friends, and others because that is what we do at Christmas time. Yet, all of this activity can obscure what Christmas is really all about. As a result, I have been considering how to honor the Lord Jesus Christ this Christmas. As I did this I looked to the Word of God, and I was reminded of why Jesus came. The angel announced to Joseph, “you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21b).1 God the Son was sent by God the Father for the purpose of dying to save mankind from his sin (1 Pet. 1:18-21). Christmas is an annual reminder of Jesus being born to save us from our sins. This is what we as Christians are to celebrate with family, friends, and loved ones. But, we have to be intentional about doing so. If we do not plan ahead to focus on celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior at Christmas time, we will get caught up in the commercial frenzy like everyone else.
Read more at http://crt010304.wordpress.com/2013/12/06/distinctly-christian-christmas-celebration/