WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS REALLY MEAN (3 OF 3)
by Jerry Watts
Scripture: Matthew 1:1-16
This content is part of a series.
What Does Christmas Really Mean (3 of 3)
Series: A Fresh Look at the Christmas Story
Jerry Watts
Matthew 1:1-16
(READ TEXT) Don't you feel blessed to read some 42 generations of people? It's a little better when you understand this is the 'family' or 'lineage' of our Lord Jesus. Against the backdrop of reading text I ask the question, ''What does Christmas REALLY mean'', and as the little 10-year-old boy said, ''It means we read lots of words about lots of people which seem to have nothing to do with us.'' However, I pray that, as we consider this text we will discern a needed message for us.
The question of ''What does Christmas really mean'' is one that has been debated for quite a while. This is a personal observation and not necessarily a long-time (1000 of years) investigation, but Christmas in my short life in this country has been the celebration of the birth of Jesus. This was my parents (their generation) as well as my grand and great-grand (and their generation). I know we can trace this day back to 'pre-Christian' days, but the truth is for the last several hundred years, Christmas has not been simply another holiday, it was (and is) Christ's birthday.
Let's admit something: Our culture has almost hi-jacked this day and turned it into a commercialized goldmine. It was in 1980 when I realized this and wrote these words. ''Christmas isn't Christmas anymore. Things are different than they've been before. We've seen Christ's birthday ushered out the door. For Christmas isn't Christmas anymore.'' It is true that Christmas is still the most joyous and wonderful time of the year, but I submit to you that with all the glitz and glitter, food and family, and the lights and music, that in more lives than ever we find hopelessness, meaninglessness, and emptiness.
Years ago I saw this bumper sticker, ''Now that I've given up hope, things seem much better.'' Seriously, a person without hope is a person in trouble. Christmas should be the time of yea ...
Series: A Fresh Look at the Christmas Story
Jerry Watts
Matthew 1:1-16
(READ TEXT) Don't you feel blessed to read some 42 generations of people? It's a little better when you understand this is the 'family' or 'lineage' of our Lord Jesus. Against the backdrop of reading text I ask the question, ''What does Christmas REALLY mean'', and as the little 10-year-old boy said, ''It means we read lots of words about lots of people which seem to have nothing to do with us.'' However, I pray that, as we consider this text we will discern a needed message for us.
The question of ''What does Christmas really mean'' is one that has been debated for quite a while. This is a personal observation and not necessarily a long-time (1000 of years) investigation, but Christmas in my short life in this country has been the celebration of the birth of Jesus. This was my parents (their generation) as well as my grand and great-grand (and their generation). I know we can trace this day back to 'pre-Christian' days, but the truth is for the last several hundred years, Christmas has not been simply another holiday, it was (and is) Christ's birthday.
Let's admit something: Our culture has almost hi-jacked this day and turned it into a commercialized goldmine. It was in 1980 when I realized this and wrote these words. ''Christmas isn't Christmas anymore. Things are different than they've been before. We've seen Christ's birthday ushered out the door. For Christmas isn't Christmas anymore.'' It is true that Christmas is still the most joyous and wonderful time of the year, but I submit to you that with all the glitz and glitter, food and family, and the lights and music, that in more lives than ever we find hopelessness, meaninglessness, and emptiness.
Years ago I saw this bumper sticker, ''Now that I've given up hope, things seem much better.'' Seriously, a person without hope is a person in trouble. Christmas should be the time of yea ...
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