Last week’s blog, “The First Christmas”, focused on what was happening on the day Jesus was born. Let’s compare that to how we celebrate the greatest event, to date, in our history today.
Today, people can crowd churches for Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day services. They dress in fancy clothes. But how many people truly understand the reason for the season? How many people truly worship the God who made us in His own likeness?
The shepherds who worshiped Jesus understood who He was. They didn’t have Bibles – we do. They didn’t question the angels when they came to announce His birth. They rejoiced while going to worship their Savior.
That raises a few questions in my mind. What did they do with their sheep while they headed to Bethlehem. Where did they stay when they got there? Remember, everyone was called to their home towns, and there was no room for Mary and Joseph so they stayed in a less than desirable location.
But God knew the shepherds’ hearts were open to know Jesus! How open is your heart to Jesus? Did you attend a Christmas service? Was your focus Jesus, or was your focus more on the things of this world? Were you more consumed with honoring Jesus, or with thoughts of opening gifts, or eating a meal?
Today, people are often more concerned about what they might receive for Christmas, than realizing that God has already given us the best gift ever. How do you show God that you are grateful for Jesus?
Today, people are less concerned about truth, but very consumed with fantasy. Consider Santa Claus. Some will attempt to rationalize their fanciful story of Santa Claus by attempting to connect him with a man who was generous to others, a man who cared about people. But I don’t believe that man would be thrilled to see how his deeds have led people to deceive their children.
I don’t believe that God is pleased with the modern day Christmas. It is commercialized, a place whereSanta reigns, Christ is diminished, and often forgotten. Ask a young child the meaning of Christmas, and you will likely find they are surprised to know it is all about Jesus.
It is so different from the first Christmas, where lowly shepherds heard from God, and responded with hearts of worship and exaltation.
The first Christmas brought hope to all who understood God’s gift of Jesus. It still does that today, but even with all our Bibles, Bible apps, podcasts with Gospel preaching, churches that are Christ centered, many still refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior. That was actually the case during the time of the first Christmas. Matthew 15:7-9 states this: “You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Even Jesus’ own brothers and sisters failed to recognize Him for who He was until after His resurrection. “When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Mark 3:21
But God is still at work today, as He was then. Matthew 9:35-38 tells us that God has a harvest, and since Jesus hasn’t returned yet, we still have work to do for His kingdom: “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
He is still working to bring people to a personal relationship with Himself, through His Son, Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our part is to share the Gospel. We need to make people understand the bad news – we are sinners, so they can understand the good news – Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so we can be reconciled to God.
This is not something man can make happen without God’s Spirit at work. It is a mystery, how all that happens. The Bible teaches that God’s people were chosen before the foundations of the world were spoken into existence. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:4.
The Bible also teaches that we are to seek Him, and we will find Him. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
It is all true. We simply accept these truths by faith, and leave the explanation to God.
Holiday events are not always the most pleasant for some people. But God wants to take the sting out of our sorrows, fears, and anxieties, through the hope we have in Jesus.
Consider what we learn about Jesus from this verse in Colossians 1:16–17: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Everything is all about Jesus! Creation is through His power. All authorities are under His auspices. We were created through Him and for Him!
Since everything is about Jesus, we have reason to rejoice – every day – because of Christmas – God with us. God sent His one and only Son, who willingly gave His life for us. His death couldn’t have happened without His birth. Therefore, it is a day for rejoicing.
What is keeping you from worshiping God, and rejoicing in His greatest gift to mankind? Is it unforgiveness? Is it fear? Is it covetousness? Is it anger? Is it a past that you had no control over but that still controls your present, or is it something else?
Today, we often have to live counter to our culture. Our culture has tried to take away our greeting to others by changing “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays”. Don’t fall for it! Greet people with the truth…it is a Merry Christmas for mankind, if only more people will understand that. God wants to use His people to proclaim this message.
How can we make Christmas about Jesus, and not the trappings of the modern Christmas? Why do we want to give a myth credit for generosity and not give God the glory He deserves?
This is a quote that struck my heart: “If you love Christ, never be ashamed to let others see it and know it. Speak for Him. Witness for Him. Live for Him.” J. C. Ryle
Will you energetically share the complete Gospel message with as many people as you can this year, so that others can have a truly Merry Christmas – every day?
If you are sorrowful and want to talk, please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com. If Jesus isn’t your Lord and Savior, please reach out to me…I want you to know the true meaning of Christmas.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please share it with others!
Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.
Copyright 2025 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.