Bible tells us how to celebrate Christmas

There are many different ways to celebrate Christmas.

Some people open gifts on Christmas Eve, while most wait until Christmas Day. Some have a formal Christmas meal planned for the day; others spend the day watching football. Some know every present they are getting before opening them, and others act surprised. In one sense there are many different ways to celebrate Christmas. Yet, in another sense there is only one right way to celebrate this day.

No matter the differences in celebrating Christmas, there are certain spiritual priorities we must have in common.

There is only one right way to celebrate Christmas, and Luke 2 demonstrates it. This chapter focuses upon the very first Christmas and the appropriate response given by the shepherds. Luke 2:15-20 reveals five spiritual priorities that must be present in your celebration of Christmas.

The first priority is that you must come to Jesus. The shepherds came to Jesus. Christmas centers upon Jesus. If you don’t have Jesus you don’t have Christmas. The shepherds were watching their flocks. Suddenly, “An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid” (verse 9).

At first, a single angel appeared, then a multitude of angels appeared. The shepherds said, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us” (verse 15). The shepherds said this over and over. There was repetition. There was no delay. “We must go. We must go immediately. This is our highest priority.”

The angel announced, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (verse 11). Three titles for Jesus were given in rapid succession. He is the savior — he came to save us from our sins. He died on the cross for us. He is the Christ or the Messiah. He is the anointed one. He is also the Lord. Every knee must bow to him. You must come to Jesus by faith.

The second priority is that you must witness for Jesus. Verse 17 reads, “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.” They told others about Jesus. Will you tell others about Jesus this Christmas season?

The third priority is that you must be amazed at Jesus. What was the reaction? “And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (verse 18). The word marveled means to be astonished, to be filled with awe. It has the idea of one’s mind being stretched. The reality is that this child is the savior of the world. He is the Lord of heaven and earth. He is the long promised Messiah of all Scripture. This staggered their imagination.

We expected that heads of state would welcome him. Instead, there were donkeys, cows and sheep. We expected angels to receive him, but instead there were flies. He gave up sovereignty for servanthood. He gave up a mansion for a manger. He gave up a crown for a cradle. Absolutely amazing.

The fourth priority is that you must meditate upon Jesus. Verse 19 reads, “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Mary treasured all of these things. It means to store up that which is valuable. She clung to every word the shepherds communicated. She pondered them.

Karl Barth was one of the greatest thinkers who ever lived. He once delivered a series of theological addresses at Harvard University. One of the students asked, “Dr. Barth, would you please share what is the highest and most profound and deepest thought to ever enter your mind?” As the entire student body leaned forward in anticipation he said, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

The fifth priority is that you and I must worship God. “Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” The shepherds returned to their flocks and fields as new men.

We must go back to our families praising the greatness of God for what he has done. We need to praise God for this day. No matter who you are or how dark the stain of sin there is a savior who is Jesus Christ. He came on a mission of salvation. All who would repent of their sin and turn to him in faith will be saved.

How do we celebrate Christmas? You and I must come to Jesus. We must witness for Jesus. We must be amazed at Jesus. We must meditate upon Jesus. Finally, we must worship God.

Ethan Hansen is pastor for Faith Bible Fellowship of Big Lake. He can be reached at ethanchansen@gci.net.