What’s in a name?
In many countries around the world, Christmas has been properly hijacked by marketeers who are simply brilliant at their job.
What marks the beginning of Christmas in the UK? Why, the release of the John Lewis Christmas ad, of course!
What festive snacks should you get in HK to usher in the Christmas season? Well, that’ll be a box of Ferrero Rocher, or a particular brand of Danish cookies in a very recognisable blue tin.
As for Japan, I still don’t really get the connection between KFC and Christmas, but I suppose Colonel Sanders could pass for Santa from a certain angle…
Jokes aside, I think we can all genuinely be in danger of getting caught up in the busy festivities and forget the real reason Christians celebrate Christmas. It’s in the name: “Christ”-mas.
Let’s remember Jesus and have Him at the centre of our hearts this Christmas season
The reason we give each other gifts on Christmas is because God has given mankind the greatest gift of all in the form of Jesus Christ his son – who has paid the punishment for sin on our behalf so that we can be reconciled with God and even call him Father.
That is why it is tradition to spend the Christmas season with family and loved ones because through Jesus, we have been “adopted” into God’s family and can become his beloved children.
Christmas is all about Jesus. Is He the one at the centre of all your Christmas activities this holiday season? (Or is it filled more with dinner parties and gag gift exchanges?) There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a party and having fun with friends, but let’s not forget the real reason we celebrate Christmas as Christians, and that’s to celebrate the birth of Jesus our Lord and Saviour into the world.
Some practical ways to help point yourself to the gospel this Christmas might be to choose nativity-themed decorations over elves and reindeers, or put more Christian carols and hymns in your Christmas holidays playlist, etc. There are no hard and fast rules, but little things like that may help.
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Praise God that we live on this side of the Cross to see Isaiah 9:6 fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ! Let’s remember Jesus and have Him at the centre of our hearts this Christmas season.
Michele Cheng
Pastoral Worker
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