'Twas the Cross before Christmas

The Christmas season is in full swing.  The retailers had Christmas decorations out before Halloween and they were slashing prices before Thanksgiving to compete for our dollars on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  It seems every year the commercialization of Christmas comes earlier and earlier. 

This is the one time of year people will be extra friendly, extremely kind and compassionate.  This is the time of year when we hear people say it's better to give than to receive.  Some people are expecting to receive a gift or card because they believe it is required because of the season. Each year we are trying to buy the latest toy, game or tech gadget.  As we struggle financially many of us are returning to the basics of gift giving handmade gifts of things needed or giving of our time to help those in need. So many of us have forgotten the real reason for Christmas.  We have not taught our children and their expectation is receiving a gift, decorating a tree and a big meal.  It's time for us to remember why we celebrate Christmas.

Christmas is the celebration of the "Son" of God.  Since no one really knows the actual birthday of Jesus Christ, therefore the 25th of December was chosen by the early church.  Why was the 25th of December was chosen?  The early church wanted to celebrate the birth of Christ since the only celebration was the Cross (Life, Death and Resurrection).

However, there were many pagan celebration but the one the early church attached itself to was the celebration of the "Sun", the winter solstice.  What a way to honor the Son of God while others were honoring the return of the Sun.  So Christmas is a celebration for Christians and non-Christians.  As Christians we need to remember that the Cross was before Christmas.  The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the focus of the Church, without the Cross we would not be able to celebrate Christmas.

May your Christmas continue with kindness, compliments and giving all year along.  God gave us a gift and it is up to each of us to accept the gift given.  Share the story of Jesus Christ beyond the baby in the manger and point to the Cross where reconciliation and redemption is available.

Enjoy this poem written by my Homiletics professor the Late Rev. Dr. Miles J. Jones, 'Twas the Cross before Christmas.