What makes a Christmas tree a Christmas tree? Is it the bright-shining lights? The dazzling garlands and tinsel? Maybe the ornaments.
Many would argue that a Christmas tree just isn’t a Christmas tree until the star is put on the top. Without the star, something is missing.
The Christmas season is adorned with many attractive decorations. Christmas music floats through the air. Christmas greetings arrive from old friends. Families gather joyfully around Christmas dinners. Children try unsuccessfully to contain their excitement as Christmas draws nearer.
Among all the gleam and glitter you may feel something is still lacking. Does it all seem pointless? Every year it starts earlier and becomes less satisfying. Is all the activity swirling around nothingness? What is missing?
If Christ is left out of the Christmas celebration, then there is nothing to celebrate. Something is missing! Something from the very top. The Star is gone.
Christmas is about Christ — God’s Son born as a child of man! It’s about God coming to humans so humans can go to God! It’s about the birth of the One whose name is above all names!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given . . . And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
We need a Counselor. We need fatherly love. We need peace. We need God.
That’s why Jesus came that first Christmas — to be our Counselor, our Source of Love, and our Peace. Jesus came to be our God.
We celebrate Christmas. Our Christmas has meaning because we celebrate Christ.
Pastor R.
