I recently was talking with some students at school about a day off from classes for Veteran’s Day. They knew that school was cancelled, and they all had plans, but they didn’t know much about Veteran’s Day, or why it was important in American history. The traditions surrounding the day had overtaken the meaning of the day itself.
The same can happen with Christmas.
We’ve heard recently about quite a few churches that are planning on not meeting for Christmas. I can understand the impulse. There are family traditions to be kept, gifts to be opened, movies to watch. There are cookies to be eaten, and a Christmas dinner to be prepared. Church would just get in the way of all that.
But, of course, the great and central reality of Christmas is NOT those things. The traditions, the gifts, the family time, the meals—all the celebrations—are based on a single great and glorious activity of God in the birth of His Son.
Once every seven years, Christmas falls on a Sunday, and on those days, more than any other, the calendar forces us to consider the glorious and central reality of Christmas. On a day that is centered on Jesus and His entrance into the world, the church gathers to celebrate and worship Him. To miss church is to miss the point—that Jesus and His incarnation to carry our sins on the cross is the most joyful celebratory reality in the universe!
Next year will come, and Christmas won’t be on a Sunday again. But this year, and seven years from now, we have a great privilege to worship the Incarnate Savior on a Sunday. I pray your heart embraces the joy that this brings, and is willing to set aside traditions, meals, and the trappings of Christmas for the glorious reality at the center!
