What Christmas Means to Me
Family Blog post by Adrian Voorhees Martin:
I want to be honest and say that this was not my original Christmas post! I had something else in mind, but as I was preparing it for publishing I found the Lord leading my heart in a different direction. Though it is different, I still feel it may be a blessing to others.
I have always loved Christmas. I am blessed with wonderful memories of our family spending time together shopping, making treats, and celebrating Jesus’ birthday. I love that over the years our family has grown as husbands and children have been added to make our family circle a little bigger. I am thankful for a tight knit family that loves to celebrate and be together. I know not everyone has this kind of family relationship, It makes me sad for those that do not, and I have learned to appreciate this blessing even more each year.
As I reflect on all my special memories, I am also reminded just what it is that Christmas means to me as a Christian. This is the perspective that I want to share because I find the truths in these thoughts of the Christmas season more precious than the gifts, lights, and festivities that surround this time of year.
To me, Christmas means the brightest flame of hope at the darkest time in our world.
In December we all endure the darkest and coldest time. The earth itself is dormant. The life and vibrancy that decorated the world is gone. This reminds me of when sin first entered the world. After Adam sinned, the earth and all humanity began the procession towards death. The life and vibrancy of God's creation was never the same.
In addition, when Jesus was born, the power of the hope he brought made evil men tremble and death again came on the scene as Herod slaughtered the innocent babies. Atonement for the world was made when Jesus died. The life that personified perfection was killed. The sky went dark that day. Death was the theme as the earth shook, Jesus cried out as he gave his life, and grief filled the hearts of many.
But the hope that remained because of Jesus and His sacrifice was eternal. At the darkest time in our world, the brightest promise of hope glowed brightly.
As the famous lyrics imply, “A ray of hope, the weary world rejoices…”!
The ray of salvation shines brightest in the dark, and I believe that is why it is so important to share the light with the dark, weary world we live in. Matthew echoed this same truth:
Matthew 4:16 - The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
To me Christmas means the beauty of Christ’s love for all humanity.
God’s promised gift of Jesus to save us was given at the time all of humanity. I find it is a beautiful thing to think that God created all men in His image, “Imago Dei”. Yet, when all of humanity failed, He still made a way for all of humanity to be restored into fellowship with Him.
Col. 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
I believe that Christmas time reminds us to remember that no matter what race, social class, or background that Jesus loves and is willing to redeem ALL that come to Him. This also means that we are to be kind and show the same redemptive love in our actions towards all humanity. We are to have empathy and kindness while being moved to share the good news of Christ’s gift for them.
FInally, To me Christmas means a reminder of Christ’s second return.
Just like the Old Testament Jews that longed for the awaited Messiah to save them, we too anticipate the return of our Saviour and the restoration He will bring. Shepherds and Kings, the small and great, anticipated his arrival. Today many Christians around the world long for the return of our Savior. He is a Savior of all which means there is an urge to spread the gospel to all.
Matthew 28:19 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
In the song “Venni, Venni, Emmanuel” from recent recording we hear the Latin words “venni”, which means “come” and “ERO CRAS” which is an acrostic from the O Antiphons which originated in the 8th-9th century and were used to start each verse of the 18th Century carol “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” “ERO CRAS” translates as Christ’s reply to our plees. The words translate “Tomorrow I will be”. We will see Christ come as He promised, and we must tell others!
The Christmas story is a love story of salvation and liberation. What a beautiful Gift to offer to all men! Love and freedom in Christ is an eternal gift from ages past to the ages to come.
May Christmas always be held dear to you both in the sense of memories and traditions, but also in the gift of hope and redemption. May, we remember the sacrifice and wonder found during this sacred and beautiful season of goodness and grace.
