Christmas… When it’s NOT the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It’s easy for Christmas to become sentimental. We gather around the Christmas tree and exchange presents with loved ones, eat cinnamon rolls for breakfast, spend the day with extended family, and eventually go to bed with full hearts and even fuller bellies. 

But what if that’s not your story? What if you spend the day alone or can’t afford Christmas presents and don’t receive any? What if you’re in the hospital or are grieving the death of someone you loved? 

The good news of Christmas is this: it isn’t about sentimental warm fuzzies. Christmas was a declaration of war. Christmas is a message of hope to those living in darkness because the Light of the World has come. 

Christmas is a Rescue Mission

Jesus described his mission this way, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). In this sense, Christmas is a rescue mission. God’s entered hostile territory in order to bring home those who are lost in sin.

And yet, how often do we celebrate Christmas in a way as if it’s merely a family celebration? I get it, and I personally cherish the family traditions built around the holiday. But, first and foremost, Christmas is a religious holiday. In many countries, Christmas is a significant evangelistic day for the church. 

In this way, it’s helpful to remember the intimate connection between Christ’s birth and his death, between Christmas and Easter. He was born in order to save us from our sin. He was able to save us from our sin because he is the God-Man. For more on the necessity of the virgin birth, please listen to this episode of the 9Marks Podcast with Dr. Steven Wellum.

Christmas is a Declaration of War

Elsewhere, the Bible gives another reason why Jesus came: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8b). Jesus was born as a declaration of war against the devil. He came to rescue God’s children from condemnation and to free them from slavery to sin. 

If Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work, it’s essential to know what that work is. Simply put, sin and death are always together. Whenever there is sin, death will always follow. Sometimes it’ll be physical death, but other times it’ll be the death of a friendship, integrity, or something else. Sin and death are always intimately connected. 

Another thing to highlight is that the curse of sin has corrupted everything in this world. Not one thing, regardless of how evil and terrible it is, exists outside of God’s good creation… but it’s been twisted. Al Wolters describes this truth in Creation Regained according to Structure and Direction. Every structure in creation was created to direct glory to God. But sin has twisted structures to direct glory inward, so those good structures now serve created things. 

Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work and to redeem creation for the glory of God. Sin and death do not have the final word. God’s people have been rescued from sin because God the Son entered into creation to save his people and to wage war against the devil who threatens them. 

When we’re addressing the sentimentality of Christmas, there’s no need to try being edgy or clever. Simply highlight what the Bible says about the reasons for the incarnation. God rescues and protects his children from sin and death. We see this reflected through the motivations behind Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and his eventual return.

For many of our students, this is not “the most wonderful time of the year.” If we only talk about Christmas joy and happiness then our students who are struggling will miss this important perspective on Christmas. Let this message bring peace and comfort into their darkness. We have an incredible hope - and his name is Jesus. 

The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:2-7