Christmas – What’s the Big Idea?
Every story we encounter through movies, newspaper, books, TV, other people, etc. has a point or big idea that it’s author or teller is trying to communicate. I was reading information on a website that helps parents to teach their children how to find this big idea in the media they hear or watch. For more information about this see: http://www.realworldparents.com .
I would like us to think for a moment about the Big Idea of Christmas:
If we have been Christians for at least a little time, most of us know that Christmas is not Christmas trees, presents, lights, etc. We also know that Christmas is not about Santa Claus, although Santa Claus is based on the real person of St. Nicholas. (Check out the following for more information about the real Santa Claus/St. Nicholas: https://www2.vombooks.com. It presents the story of St. Nicholas from the perspective of a persecuted Christian.)
Then it must be about the giving and receiving?! Well it certainly is not about the giving. The saying that it is better to give than receive is only partly right. It certainly is important to put serving others ahead of yourself. That is what James calls true religion: James 1:27(ESV) “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
Christmas is not even about the Nativity. There are many of the details that we celebrate about the religious side of Christmas that are legend, conjecture, or literary license. The Big Idea of Christmas goes much deeper than even the Nativity.
So if Christmas is not about all the visible signs we so closely associate with Christmas, then what is the Big Idea of Christmas? It is about the Redeemer and the fabulous gift that He gave. It’s about humility – the Humility of the Son of God coming down to us. The need for humility of us to recognize our very great need for the Redeemer and the gift He has for us.
“Throughout history, God’s people have made it a tradition to run from Him. It is all bizarre, especially when you consider that God is the source of every good thing and he loves his creatures. For some strange reason, human beings don’t naturally like God. We have a habit of ignoring Him and running from Him” (Ed Welch – What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care? p83-84).
Christmas is about faith and faith is about choosing sides. Will you trust yourself or King Jesus? So the Big Idea of Christmas is trusting God to be who He is and being faithful to all that He has promised. The prophets through God’s Word promised the Messiah. And God fulfilled His promise.
He has been faithful. Does that change the way you eat your food, buy your presents, decorate your tree, light up your house, etc.? If it doesn’t then does King Jesus really reign in your life?
Ask yourself if you reign or if King Jesus reigns. Then after you have answered, submit yourself to His reign. Seek His forgiveness. Ask for His Spirit to change you into whom He wants you to be. If you end up with more trials in our life, that’s because He is answering your prayer and He is doing His work.
King Jesus is the Big Idea. Ask your children what the Big Idea is of Christmas and see if you have done a good job passing the Big Idea on to them. If not, start now.
If you want help, let me know.
Leon Grubb
Please send questions or comments to lgrubb@ccczion.org.
