I know, you’re probably sick of hearing what the true meaning of Christmas is. You’re probably thinking, “I know what Christmas is about, it’s about showing love to your fellow man because Christ came to show us God’s love.” That’s certainly true, but unfortunately this is not what resounds through our culture’s messages about this holiday. We sing songs that say how good we are, when we are no good. We sing of a man who gives us gifts if we are good, when we can do nothing to deserve any gifts.
Especially in light of recent events, such as ISIS in the Middle East, slavery around the world, our flawed justice system, and our own personal troubles, it seems as if humanity is no good. But then we have stories of great human achievement and even goodness, leading us to believe that we as a species can certainly be good, if we just work hard enough. In the behind-the-scenes of this ad, the claim is made that the Christmas Truce of 1914 shows that even in the midst of terrible times, there can be great humanity. On the contrary, I would say that the Christmas Truce was about both sides’ trust in God as the only hope for humanity, to save us from our own wickedness. Why do we lie to ourselves, saying we are good? John Calvin – and other Christian leaders – would say that we need the inspired Scripture to show us the truth about ourselves, as sin has altered us so much that we fail to see the depths of our depravity.
The LORD spoke through the prophet Isaiah, whose main concern was prophesying about the coming Messiah, saying, “. . . my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
You must realize your sin in order to truly appreciate salvation. God has the Israelites made fully aware of their great sin and inclination toward evil, so that they know that the LORD is the only means of salvation. They even had a tradition of naming their sons Yeshua, “Yahweh is Salvation“, as a sort of prayer to God to send His Messiah. This name culminated in the incarnate Son, born in the manger, the same boy who would grow into a man and die on a cross and rise again, reconciling all who call on his name. When Jesus enters Jerusalem, they shout “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!” because they know that anyone who comes without God’s purpose and power is useless to save them from their sins.
The more I am grieved by my own sin and the sin of others, the more I rely on God to be my salvation and my life. How will I know how comforting and joyful these “good tidings” are if I have never realized my discomfort and sorrow?  So what should we do to avoid this? I’m not against giving and receiving gifts, because they are a great way to show our appreciation and gratitude. But let us never think that the things we give are truly ours; even our love is borrowed from our God. Let us take no credit for our goodness, but be gladly robed in Christ’s righteousness. We give out of our need, while God gives out of His abundance. Let us give out of our need as if it were abundance, because of Christ’s love for us. May the gift of Christmas be ever true in your hearts: you were once dead, but now are alive in Christ. You were once separated from God, but now have been brought near (see Ephesians 2). These truths are reflected in our remembrance of springtime in the midst of winter, as well as our gathering with loved ones and practicing reconciliation, even when full reconciliation is a far way off. We can comfort those around us by telling them about the truly good news. May we wish them a “Merry Christmas” with this meaning in mind: be merry that the One and Only, Holy God has appeared, lived, suffered, died, and risen in the flesh to make you, a sinner, more like Him.
In order to help you prepare your hearts and minds for this Christmas season, I have prepared this playlist of excellent Christmas songs that contain and expound upon this message. Merry Christmas!
RAE ROHM 