What Christmas Is and Isn’t

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. ~ Washington Irving

Christmas … is not an external event at all, but a piece of one’s home that one carries in one’s heart. ~ Freya Stark

Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas. ~ Dale Evans

These are all famous quotes that you’ll find online or in Christmas cards this year regarding the true meaning, or spirit, of Christmas. But did you notice what’s missing? Upon first glance, there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with what’s being said. It’s only when we take a closer look that we begin to see what’s missing—Jesus.

Sure, we can celebrate the nostalgia and happy times that seem to be at the front of our minds this time of year. But let us not miss out on the rich meaning and celebration that this season has to offer.

As December 25 fast approaches, let us first remember a different set of quotes from those who were anticipating and celebrating the One who came to bridge the gap between Heaven and Earth.

May these be the words at the front of our minds this Christmas: 

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. ~ Isaiah 7:14

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. ~ Isaiah 11:1

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. ~ Micah 5:2

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. ~ Zechariah 9:9

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. ~ Matthew 1:23

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”Matthew 2:1-2

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” ~ Luke 1:35

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” ~ Luke 2:10

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.Acts 5:31

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.2 Corinthians 9:15

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.Philippians 2:8-10

Every good & perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~ James 1:17

Christmas is fast approaching. And now that Christ has aroused our seasonal expectations, he’ll soon fulfill them all!Augustine

Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.C.S. Lewis

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