It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

by Stephen Rhoda

I’ll confess that I have a weakness for the traditional holly and ivy of Christmas.  I like the scenes of Currier & Ives and Norman Rockwell.  In my opinion, Bing Crosby sings the best “White Christmas,” Perry Como does the best “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays,” and Ella Fitzgerald the best “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”  And, of course, nobody really sings “Blue Christmas” except Elvis.

I realize that all such truck can be a great distraction from what Christmas really is.  I also agree that the celebration of Christ’s birth, along with our knowledge of His death and our joy at His resurrection, belongs not just to a single day of the year but to the entire year in every day on the calendar.  In the end, December 25 is no more “Christmas” than July 25!  At least, it shouldn’t be for those who love Christ and live consciously in the day of His fulfilled coming and realized kingdom.

So when we hear the words “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” we probably think of lights and decorations, the colors red and green, and some snow on the ground to make “the dream” come true.  However, let’s rethink this expression.  If Christmas means the coming of Christ to save His people, to give them new birth, to fill them with His Spirit, and to carry out His ministry through them, then it will begin to look a lot like Christmas whenever we see the church gathered in worship and wherever we see the church ministering to the world with the love of Christ.

I hope you all enjoy this season as much as I do, but I hope even more that the birth of Christ fills your mind, lifts your heart, and raptures your soul every day.  And may it look like Christmas in the church all year long.