Away in a manger, what child is this. O holy night, silent night. Blah, blah, blah. I love singing Christmas carols, but they've become so common that people miss the point, especially when secular musicians and radio stations conveniently leave out selected verses. I've talked a lot recently about the fabulous things about Christmas, and while that's all wonderful you can't ignore the reason we celebrate - Christ.
Let's face it - if you call yourself a Christian, then there's no other reason to celebrate than the birth of our Savior. Lights, presents, and trees are fun, but if we didn't have those would you still enjoy the season? Sadly I think there are some "Christians" out there who couldn't say yes.
While my husband and I don't have kids now, when we do, we don't plan on bringing Santa Clause into the picture. To focus on Santa during this season is to take the focus off of Christ and put it on someone else. Think about it - how would you feel if, on your birthday, everyone lavished attention on your cousin? Would you feel loved? Appreciated? Special? But year after year we do that exact thing to the God who loves us so much that he sent his son to die for us.
Without Christ, there's no reason to celebrate. Toys and clothes are fun to receive, but they're temporary. Santa isn't real. The food disappears. Without Christ, nothing about Christmas lasts. He is the only reason to celebrate because He is the only thing about Christmas that provides hope, joy, and love for all eternity.
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