January 20, 2025
One of the things I enjoy most about Christmas is the old movies that help put me in the seasonal spirit. And though there are many I like, my all-time favorite is Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. The best part about the film is the music, composed by Irving Berlin. Best known among the film’s 12 songs is “White Christmas,” which inspired a 1954 movie by the same name.
Focusing on that famous tune, in my mind, I’ve replaced “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,” with “I’m dreaming of the right Christmas.” It’s not that I wouldn’t like to see snow on December 25. Yet, there are issues that, rather than melt away in time, carry with them eternal significance. Let’s go back to Bethlehem and discover what constitutes the “right” Christmas.
First, make room for Jesus. After a long and difficult journey, Joseph and Mary arrived in town, only to discover that all the rooms in the inn were taken. God in the flesh would be born in a stable instead.
Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, is there room in your heart for Jesus? As the Lord says, “I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20 NASB). Rather than hanging out the “Do not disturb” sign, invite Him to “Please clean the room.” By doing so, you put yourself in a position to discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Next, engage in worship. Upon the birth of Christ, a heavenly host of angels appeared, praising God and proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14 NASB). Once the angels left the scene, shepherds began “glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20 NASB). Later, when the wise men came, “they fell to the ground and worshiped Him” (Matthew 2:11 NASB).
As Christmastime unfolds, take time to praise and glorify God. You’re celebrating the birthday of the Savior. This baby grew up to live, die, and rise forth from the grave to provide forgiveness for sin and eternal life.
Then, discover the grace of giving. The aforementioned wise men did not come empty-handed. As Scripture says, they presented the Child with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
A long time ago, Chinese farmers decided to eat the biggest potatoes and use the small ones for seed. After a few years, they learned a hard truth, as nature had reduced their crop to the size of marbles. A key life principle: Keeping the best for yourselves and giving the leftovers to God and others will eventually catch up with you.
As the Bible says, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully… God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6,7 NASB).
Look for new and fresh ways to be a giver this holiday season.
Finally, share Christ with others. Although much joy can be gained from giving, one must realize there are some gifts money cannot buy, chief among them the good news of salvation. The shepherds not only offered worship, they spread the word. Learning of the wonderful tidings from the angels, they “made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds (Luke 2:17,18 NASB).
Along with temporal treats and presents, pass along a treasure of eternal significance–the gift of everlasting life. Chances are, there’s someone you know, someone you live near or work with, who desperately needs to hear about Jesus.
A devotional from Our Daily Bread tells of an artist who drew a bleak, wintry twilight. Trees hung with snow as a dark house stood lonely in the storm. It was a desolate picture indeed. But then, the artist put light in a lone window with the stroke of a yellow crayon. The change was magical. The sad scene became one of comfort and cheer. This describes the coming of God in the flesh to this dark and sin saturated world 2000 years ago.
Even if you don’t get a white Christmas, you can enjoy the right one–one in which your heart is filled with Jesus which puts you in a position to worship, give, and share the good news.
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Todd Gaddis is a semi-retired minister living in Athens. He continues to serve as an interim pastor and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.
