A few weeks ago, I received a very exciting text message. I had been waiting for this message for quite a while at that point, and I was starting to get worried it would never come. Once I received the text, however, I grinned from ear to ear.
My mom texted me asking for my Christmas list.
I was excited to start typing the list up with my desired specifications. I attached links to ensure my mom knew exactly what I wanted, and I made sure to add sizes and colors with all the clothes I listed. Then, I began to think about the real meaning of Christmas, the Christmas that Christians believe in, the biblical Christmas.
Last Tuesday, Southern Adventist University held its Christmas Tree Lighting in Taylor Circle. The annual event is something many students, faculty and community members look forward to each year. I certainly enjoyed attending, and it’s been fun looking at the different Christmas decorations on campus.
As I look around our beautifully transformed campus, however, I only see a few decorations here and there that represent the biblical Christmas. Frankly, I do not believe anything is wrong with decorations that aren’t tied to Jesus’ birth. I love the big Christmas trees in front of Wright Hall and the Hulsey Wellness Center. I believe you can keep Christmas traditions that didn’t originate within Christian circles, such as putting up Christmas trees, decorating cookies, hanging stockings and waiting for Santa Claus while still believing and participating in the biblical Christmas. There is nothing wrong with that, and it is something that has the potential to allow us to better connect with others during the holidays. I also appreciate and want to acknowledge the banners on Wright Hall that represent the nativity scene.
However, observing the diverse array of decorations on campus has led me to think more about what we as Christians do during the holiday season to witness to others. How much time do we spend discussing the importance of Jesus’ birth, His choice to become 100 percent human and its eternal effect on our lives and world? Do we adorn ourselves with His character, His love, during the holidays? Or do we adorn ourselves completely in other characteristics that often make themselves known during the Christmas season, such as materialism and greed?
Jesus, to Christians, is our Savior who died for us, and Christmas is the time when we celebrate His birth, or at least we should. When I think back to past Christmases, I cannot think of many things I have done to celebrate Jesus’ birth, other than perhaps a program at my church. However, if our goal is to teach people about Christ and reflect His character, isn’t Christmas a great time to do so?
But what can we as Christians do to celebrate Christmas in a biblical sense? Are there better ways to acknowledge the truth behind the season? Perhaps we could spend more time helping those in need, organize more nativity programs or simply spend more personal time with Jesus.
Showing people who our Savior is by directing our thoughts toward Him and demonstrating His character through our actions should be a continual practice we adhere to. However, Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect on your relationship with Christ and the ways you choose to share Him with others.
