What I love about Kirk Cameron is how committed he is to praise the name of Jesus as loudly as he possibly can. He does this in the midst of a climate that is constantly growing with hostility toward the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. In his new film Saving Christmas he proclaims the true meaning behind the holiday’s decorations, trimmings, and adornments . The Christmas tree can be used to remind us that Jesus died on a tree to save sinners from the just penalty God’s wrath on their sin. We can be reminded from Nutcracker men that soldiers were sent to murder all the children of Bethlehem in order to kill Him. Even Santa Claus can be a reminder to us of the true and historical figure of Nicholas who fought the good fight at the council of Nicaea in 325 AD, when he pounced on Arius for denying the deity of Jesus Christ.
Such associations are a nice way for the Christian to put the right spirit into Christmas, and to lift the name of Jesus to where it rightfully belongs during the holiday. I think that Cameron’s message is particularly good since our country is filled with nominal Christians who profess to know Christ but deny him with the way they live their lives and the priorities they set. Jesus said it this way,
“"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” (Matthew 7:21-23)
We can observe in verse 22 Jesus’ use of the word “many” when referring to those who proclaim their allegiance to Jesus, but who are denied by Him. The greatest and worst sin that any sinner can ever commit is to deny the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many people who do not deny Him in word, do so in practice. Hence, Jesus says, “NOT everyone who SAYS to Me, “Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who DOES the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” When Jesus said these things He was not proclaiming a Gospel of works, but one of faith that always produces good works.
It has been the concern of many Christians over the years that Christ is not central in Christmas. It can be very disheartening to celebrate a holiday that is meant to remember the birth of the most important person in a Christian’s life, only to see Him drowned out by other things. Such behavior of relegating Jesus to a secondary or non existent place should be expected from the world, but not from people that might otherwise be understood to be true born again believers.
It is a most wonderful idea to suggest that Christians center the festivities of Christmas on Christ, and even use festival decorations to do so. But if the ornaments only supplant Jesus with that of a jolly fat elf that turns the truth of the Gospel into a blessing based on good works of being nice, then I say foul play is a foot. I do hope that if you are a Christian you will make every effort to make Christ central when you decide to celebrate His birthday. Read the Biblical story, give verbal praise to His salvation, drink a toast to the sacrifice He made in our place, or some such thing. But don’t forget about Him and then call Christmas a celebration of His birth. I think to do so would be to grieve the Holy Spirit. Lord bless and Merry Christmas.
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