Keeping Christ in Christmas

by Dr. Paul Chappell

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

Luke 2:4-7

In the year 1809, the international scene was tumultuous. Napoleon was sweeping through Austria, destroying all who stood in his way. The world was watching as Napoleon was making his move to dominate the world. Nobody then was concerned about babies. But the world was overlooking some terribly significant births.

For example, William Gladstone was born that year. He was destined to become one of England's finest statesmen. That same year, Alfred Tennyson was born to an obscure minister and his wife. The child would one day greatly affect the literary world in a marked manner.

On the American continent, Oliver Wendell Holmes was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. And not far away in Boston, Edgar Allan Poe began his eventful, albeit tragic, life. That same year produced the cries of a newborn infant in a rugged log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky. The baby's name? Abraham Lincoln.

If there had been news broadcasts at that time, I'm certain these words would have been heard: "The destiny of the world is being shaped on an Austrian battlefield today." But history was actually being shaped in the cradles of England and America. Similarly, everyone thought taxation was the big news when Jesus was born. But a young Jewish woman cradled the biggest news of all-the birth of the Saviour.

During the Christmas season, people often become wrapped up in the rush of shopping. There are gifts to be bought, dinners to fix, plans to make, traveling to take place, decorations to be hung, and many other things to be done to prepare for Christmas.

It isn't hard to become so involved with the event of Christmas that we forget the true meaning of Christmas. The main focus of your Christmas should be the birth of Christ! As a tiny baby, Christ entered this world on that night so long ago. He came to earth knowing that He was going to die for our sins. Yet He came willingly.

As we enter the Christmas season, don't involve yourself too much in the hustle and bustle of the season that you fail to include God. Take time to read the Christmas story (Luke 1-2) often during this Christmas season and thank God for sending His Son to die for you.