There’s a cleaning product called Bar Keepers Friend.  A unique name to be sure but it cleans and polishes all kinds of surfaces. Has Christmas lost its luster? Have you been so caught up in all the doing of Christmas that you’ve forgotten the being of Christmas? The birth of Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit restore to our hearts what’s so special about Christmas.  

Scriptures – Philippians 2:6-11; 1 John 3:5, 1 John 4:9-10, Romans 5:10-11, Psalm 70:4

Verse – Who, being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)

Thought – What’s so special about Christmas? To understand this, we need to understand three key ideas:  

1. The relevance of Christmas

The relevance of Christmas can be summed up in one phrase – God came to earth. After 2,000 years of Christianity this might seem like the norm but I can assure you it’s not. All other religions have you reaching for God, only in Christianity did he reach for us. When we weren’t looking for Him, he came looking for us. Jesus humbled himself and walked among us so that we would be in relationship with the Father. As he lived his life, he showed us the reason for Christmas.  

2.  The reason for Christmas  

He came for our benefit. We see this benefit in four ways.

First, he came to show us what God is like. The disciple Philip asked Jesus to show him the Father. Jesus responded by saying, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” No longer did we have to wonder what God was like, Jesus gave us first-hand experience

Second, he came to show us how to really live. The Bible says in John 10:10 that he came so that we might live life to the fullest.  We live life to the fullest as we are serving and blessing others.  

Third, he came to show us that we can trust God. He offers not just sympathy but empathy. He walked in our shoes and experienced the pain, suffering, and struggles of humanity. In the end He gave his life so we could have eternal life.  

Fourth, he came to forgive everything we’ve ever done wrong. We deserve God’s wrath for our sins. In this great exchange Jesus takes God wrath and gives us his righteousness that we might be righteous before the Father. And what is the result of Christmas? 

3.  The result of Christmas

We can know God and walk in relationship with Him. God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ is personal, practical, priceless, and permanent. Take time this Christmas season to celebrate your relationship with Jesus.  

Questions – What has caused Christmas to lose its luster? How can pausing to reflect on the idea that God came to you, help change your focus for Christmas? Why is empathy so much more powerful than sympathy? Are you living life to the full as Christ would want you to? Where do you need to take time in your daily schedule to focus on Christ?  

Response – Take some time this week to process what’s so special about Christmas and ask God to help change your heart as we head into a new year.  

Prayer – Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus. His birth, life, death, and resurrection changes everything. May the Holy Spirit restore the joy of Christmas for me.  Amen.