Putting Christ Back In Christmas
By Marty Norman
Luke 2:10 “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy …. Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord.”
What an amazing message. Just as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago, these words have been repeated and received by countless millions. Taken to heart for generations this declaration of hope has brought light into the darkness and hope to the hopeless. It is the good news of salvation and peace to those separated from God.
Yet millions, maybe billions, have either not received the word or have heard but rejected it. Instead they choose to celebrate the birth of our lord and savior by partnering with a fat, jolly man who lives at the North Pole, rides a sleigh pulled by reindeer, and brings toys to all the good little boys and girls around the world. What has our world come to that people believe this myth but cannot believe that a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes came into the world as our savior and redeemer?
As a grandmother, I confess that I have more often than not participated in this myth. From children to grandchildren I have wrapped presents, visited Santa at malls, hung stockings, left cookies and milk by the fireplace, and pretty much participated and perpetuated this fable my entire adult life.
Shame on me! And shame on the church for not setting the world aright.
Now don't get me wrong. I love Christmas as much as the next guy. But recently it has become my mission and purpose to keep my grandchildren grounded in the word, aware of the truth of Christmas. I have become a crusader of biblical proportions when it comes to keeping the record straight about Jesus and what his birth means to me, to them, and to the world.
But how do I, a grandmother of four, fulfill my mission without ruffling feathers and disrupting routines? Therein lies the problem: staying true to the faith while living in the world? Or as Jesus describes it, being in the world without being of the world?
As I've contemplated this dilemma I have designed my own personal “Grandmother Plan” to put Christ back into Christmas for my family. Here are four important steps to consider:
Step 1: Be grounded in the word
Being fully grounded in the word from Genesis to Revelation helps us to clearly understand the message of Christ. By understanding God's purpose and plan and by articulating it clearly we are better able to partner with God furthering his work here on earth.
Step 2: Spread the gospel boldly and speak truth in love.
Being bold in this season should be a cinch. The world still celebrates this time as Christmas. What better time to tell them that yes, Christ is with us. God's love did come down from heaven in the form of a baby, and he is still here among us.
Step 3: Use the symbols of Christmas to tell the Christmas story over and over again.
I am reminded of that glorious night when the shepherds guarded their flocks by night. Suddenly there was a bright light surrounding them, and the sky was filled with heavenly hosts announcing the birth to a stunned audience. We are God's heavenly host here on earth now – sent to announce the good news. What better way than to retell the Christmas story using the symbols of the season as our springboard to tell the greatest story ever told.
Step 4: Be intentional and do research. Make a list of potential opportunities.
There are so many opportunities to share the gospel during the Christmas season. Here are just a few ideas that I am planning to use in the natural that will educate my grandchildren about the true meaning of Christmas. I encourage you to make your own list. The internet is a great resource.
• The nativity scene or crèche – Created by St. Francis on Christmas Eve 1224, a man who walked after God's own heart. He used real people and real animals to tell the story. What better way to tell the story of Jesus' birth than a hands-on crèche or nativity scene. The story comes alive as each figure is handled and placed in position. Reserving the baby Jesus for Christmas Eve makes the story come alive.
• The Christmas tree - Some say the Christmas tree began in the 8 th century with St. Boniface who gathered newly baptized Christians together to renounce paganism. Others say it originated in Germany where it was decorated with apples and candles. The custom spread to England through Prince Albert and to America by the Pilgrims. And we continue this tradition today. The vertical stature of the tree points upward, reminding us of God's faithfulness and his heavenly home. The green on the leaves of the tree represent eternal life. What a way to tell the story of salvation.
• Christmas carols – St. Francis and others sang the first carols around the crèche. If we study the meaning of some of our favorites “Hark the Herold Angels Sing”, “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”, “We three Kings of Orient Are”., “O Come All Ye Faithful”, they tell the story for us. We just retell it in words our grandkids can understand.
• The Jesse Tree – A tree that is decorated each week with ornaments representing Old Testament stories from creation to Christ's birth. What a way to give a child the big picture of God's purpose and plan from the beginning.
• Candy Canes – These are great teaching tools, especially if you eat them as you talk. Just a few hints about the candy cane. It is the shape of a J for Jesus and a shepherd's hook for the shepherd of his sheep. The sweetness of the candy reminds us that we are fed on the sweetness of the gospel and are given manna daily by God. The hardness of the candy reminds us that he is our rock, our strong tower, our protector.
• The Christmas Star – The star announced Christ's birth. It led the shepherd and the wise men to the manger. It reminds us to follow the light of Christ. The star first appeared on the first Christmas cards in the 1840's.
• Red and Green - Red symbolize the blood of Christ and his sacrifice for us. Green reminds us of the hope of things to come, of victory over death.
• The Advent Wreath – a tradition of lighting a candle each week in the four weeks preceding Christmas. Scripture reading explains God's plan of salvation from the Old Testament to the Cross. Family discussion, singing, and prayer help keep us focused on Christ and God's plan of redemption.
Being a story teller is not hard when we have these visual aids to guide us. Do your own research, be creative and find ways to share more than just a surface telling of the Christmas story. Grandmothers are the best at creativity. By teaching, holding and loving we are building memories as we plant seeds of eternal life in the hearts of our precious charges.
There is no greater gift than the gift of eternal life wrapped in a package of grace. To be the bearer of this great gift is to bestow an eternal heritage upon those we love the most. What better legacy for a grandmother than to prepare a child for the coming of the Christ child, not only on Christmas Eve, but in his or her own heart.
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