The first time I went to Disneyland was a landmark moment for me. I grew up hearing about “the happiest place on earth,” yet living abroad, I didn’t have the chance to go until I was in ninth grade. I remember it was a very hot August day. I was amazed by the parking lot trams, the smallest attention to every detail, even down to the bathrooms at the entrance to the park. Everything was clean and decorated with the most meticulous detail.
And ALL of this BEFORE even entering the amusement park itself.
Imagine how foolish it would have been to simply be amazed by these things at the entrance of an amusement park-even one so great and wonderful as Disneyland-and decide to stay there and not go on any of the rides. How ridiculous it would have been to substitute the wonder of Disneyland itself for their amazing bathrooms and parking lot.
But if we are honest, this often happens to us at Christmas, doesn't it? Sadly, when we think of Christmas, we think of many things that are just peripheral, things outside of what Christmas means…things that aren't sinful, but can sometimes take away from the true meaning of Christmas.
What is the true meaning of Christmas? John 1:14 tells us: “and the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
This is what we should be celebrating and meditating on during this Christmas season. The incarnation of the second person of the Trinity. He who was from the beginning became flesh. To dwell among us. So that one day He would die for our sins.
So let’s use this Advent season as a time to prepare ourselves to worship Jesus “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
While there are many amazing things we can enjoy this Christmas season, let’s not let good food, white elephant gift exchanges, and special times with family replace the wonder we should feel for our Savior who came to die for our sins. Let’s celebrate this incarnation and worship. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
