Thursday, December 4, 2008
Dr. David M. Berman

It is often said that Christmas is the best time of year. We have all heard it; “Its a time to be nice to one another” or “Its a time to gather with family and friends.” I certainly believe it nice to gather with family and friends however is that what Christmas is about (shouldn’t we always be nice to one another)?  We hear on the news about the retail sales being down and that the season might be a “disaster” for the economy.

Just the other day on a well known show there was a skit. In the skit that they apparently thought was funny, they had Willie Nelson playing the part of  one of kings who brought gifts to Jesus as a baby. Instead of frankincense and myrrh, Willie brought marijuana. What is even more offensive is that people thought it was funny. You can turn to many “Christmas specials” on cable TV and see scantily clad women dressed up with red and white while mocking Christianity with improper dances. Is this what Christmas is about? It is blasphemous.

The culture we live in now sees Christmas as nothing more than an opportunity to get drunk, spend money they don’t have, receive gifts, and mock Christian teaching. Is Christmas really about retail sales, getting drunk, and marijuana? What has happened to our culture?  Since money is now the most important god in our country, it is clear that “happiness” will be determined by how well retail sales are. A “good Christmas season” is no longer determined by how much God was glorified or by how many people heard the gospel message that Christmas represents. Our culture has become crass, improper, vile, and totally without propriety.

How about the culture of the Church? Is it better? Sure its better but in my view the Church is terribly lacking in its responsibility to preach the Bible as is. Every gimmick is being tried and the results are dismal. Most “Christian” books  are published by non Christian publishers. Just walk into a Christian book store and look around. You will see many self help style books. You will see the commercialization due to the lack of depth in the hearts of Christian people. I don’t blame the stores. They are in business. It is the lack of demand for substance from the Christian people in America that has caused the book stores to major in fluff. In almost every Christian book store there is either a tiny reference area, or no reference area at all. Again this is due to lack of demand. I believe that Church is in the state it is in mostly because preachers refuse to preach the Word of God as it is!!! I would rather preach the Word of God and have no one in my church than to be politically correct and have thousands.

When I preach at my church this Christmas eve, I will do what I always do. I will preach the gospel of Jesus Christ who is the only way to heaven. Salvation is found in none other but Him! Christmas is not about retail sales, seeing family and friends, or being nice. Buying gifts is fine. seeing family and expressing joy in relationships is wonderful, however Christmas is about one person and one person only:

Luke 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Christmas is about the Savior Jesus Christ fulfilling every prophetic word. Christmas is about  the gospel preached by Him and salvation from literal Hell fire. We rejoice at the celebration of the birth of Christ because the greatest gift ever given was and is given in the person of Christ our Lord.