I am afraid that to a certain extent, we have given ourselves to the meaningless and empty demands of the world as it refers to Christmas. We must be careful that we don’t allow the world to define what Christmas is supposed to be all about. Many of us enter the end of the calendar feeling depressed and angry for not getting what we wanted. It is then that people go into debt as they start the New Year in an even worst financial condition than the year before. Our focus for Christmas has become what we want rather than to focus on Jesus. In Psalm 23 David tells us under the anointing of the Holy Spirit:
| 1 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. |
| 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. |
| 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. |
| 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. |
| 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. |
| 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
How can we connect this Psalm to Christmas? Because, if we are indeed Born Again Christians, then Jesus is our Shepherd; then Jesus is truly the reason for the season. That means that we “Shall not want.” Christmas should never be a stressful season; it ought to be the most beautiful and spiritually bountiful time of the year. We are totally missing the point; we are missing the reason for the season altogether. In Christ, we have all we need and more; that is why we shall not want. It is the wanting and not getting what we want that brings forth anger and depression. Do you know that Christmas for many people is the saddest time of the year? Do you know that it is during Christmas and not Halloween when more people kill themselves? Truly these tragedies are not taking place because of Jesus, but because of what the world has done with this season. It is all about materialism; it is all about shopping, and it is all about pretending. Let the world keep their Black Fridays; let the world continue the commercialization of Christmas. But you must know that in Jesus, we have favor; in Him we find the restoration of our souls and guidance in the path of righteousness. In Him, we find protection even when faced with death. In Him, we find comfort and favor even in the presence of our enemies. In Jesus, we find the power of His anointing; we find true prosperity, goodness, mercy and an eternal dwelling in the house of the Lord. What else could we possibly want? We should not be stressing out about what we are going to give our children and our friends or expect anything. I know I have felt depression and guilt the times that I am not able to give my children what they want. Christmas is all about Jesus; not Santa Claus, not about who has the greater lights in their front yards and the larger Christmas Tree. All these things are meaningless without the reality of Jesus shinning in our hearts. This Christmas, we must remember all that God has done and is doing for us and also remember that He is doing it “for His name’s sake.” It is not about us; it is about celebrating the one that was born in a manger…this Christmas I shall not want; I have all I need and more…I have Jesus! I hope that you enjoy this version of Oh Holy Night by Mr. David Phelps http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFxG6-WSnI&feature=related |
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