About the Christmas Spirit

As we move deeper into Advent, let me ask a question:  What is the “Christmas spirit” for you?  For many it means time with family, and sometimes long-awaited family reunions.  Of course, family time is a gift—and yet we also know that holidays can be hard for those whose families are separated or who’ve lost loved ones.  Is God calling you to enlarge your “family” and share the joy with others this season?

It also means festivity:  twinkling lights, special parties, parades, con­certs, parties; dressing up, decorating, sending cards, baking, caroling, and giving gifts.  And when there are gifts, there’s shopping.  I guess helping out the retailers is part of today’s Christmas spirit.

But let’s go deeper here.  To have a God-honoring Christmas spirit, we need more than family and festivity.  If we take three key spiritual steps, the gospel will shine among us this Advent season:

Commemorate the stunning invasion of human history by the loving, all-powerful Creator (John 1:1-5, 14).  Rehearse and retell the stories of shepherds and wise men, of angels and Simeon and Anna.  Look back and focus attention on the awesome advent of God!  “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

Celebrate the coming of Messiah, the One who can free you from sin’s guilt and give you eternal life (1 Tim 1:15)!  The wise men come to worship the newborn King; the angels burst out in praise in the skies over Bethlehem; Mary herself sings with joy at the greatness of God after learning of his mysterious and wonderful plan.  Our Christmas spirit will be shallow if joyful praise isn’t at the heart of it.

Imitate.  So commemorate and celebrate.  But the Bible also urges us to imitate the incarnation of God!  How so?  When God inspired Paul to give the Philippians an illustration of humble, self-giving love, he pointed to Christmas (Phil 2:3-8).  The Son of God laid aside his heavenly splendor and became a lowly servant (he “emptied” himself, v 7).  And believers are told to replicate this others-first attitude:  “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (v 5).  If we prioritize serving and blessing others in the name of Jesus, our Christmas spirit will be joyful, meaningful, and God-honoring!