THE TRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS by Phil Kinney
Christmas is a time of many traditions – the family getting together, having a roast dinner and Christmas pudding, or maybe the bbq for the Aussie version. Fruit mince pies, Christmas crackers, fairy lights, presents and cards to all. Maybe you have some of your own traditions. For me I like to sit down with the family and watch the movie “The Santa Claus” with Tim Allen in the days leading up to Christmas. A couple of years ago Ben and asked where our chimney was. I said we don’t have one, which then brought the question of how “that man” (as he referred to Santa at that time) was going to get in with the presents. Thus we had to watch “The Santa Claus” to discover how Santa gets in when there is no chimney.
I started a new tradition before daylight savings of Christmas lights on the house. I was given outdoor Christmas lights about 10 years ago and it only took me 6 years to get them on the house – then daylight savings came in so it wasn’t worth it, and this year with the house move I have missed it – but next year…!!!!!
Have you ever thought about why we do the things we do at Christmas?? Have you ever questioned your traditions? This can be valuable to reflect and helpful. A funny tale I read was one Christmas the daughter – Fran -in a family, now grown up and with a family of her own decided she was going to host Christmas dinner. She bought her daughter in aged about 8 to help prepare the meal. Fran took the roast and promptly cut about a fifth of the roast and then placed the roast in the pan, the daughter asker her why she did this, to which Fran replied “she had learnt it from her Mother”. This got Fran curious, so she asker her mother when she arrived for Christmas lunch why she cut the end off her roast. Fran’s mother replied that she had learnt this from observing her mother, which prompted them to call Fran’s Grandmother into the kitchen to ask the big question. “So Gran”, she asked, “Why did you always cut the end off the roast?” The grandmother’s reply was that was the only way it would fit into the pan she had!
Sometimes it really pays to question traditions!!!
A tradition I want to look at is that of attending church on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Why do numbers swell in church attendance this time of year? What draws people to services across the city?
For many it is simply a tradition, it is what we have already done. For some it is the once or twice a year guilt appeaser, to say we have been to church for the year so we can say we’ve been. For that matter why do we attend church every week – especially you all so faithful on this rather warm day?
Christmas is all about celebrating the life of Christ. It is celebrating his coming into the world as a gift from God. Thus we give gifts to each other, as a remembrance of him. The candy cane is striped red and white – red for his blood given for us, and white for his purity and holiness. The tree for the Christian symbolizes the cross often described as the tree of grace. And the service here together? The symbolism is found in the story of Jesus birth. Jesus was born in a stable, or more likely a cave where the animals were kept. But his birth and the days following were not lonely events.
"So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them." (Luke 2:15-20)
He was visited by the shepherds who had been alerted in the fields to the birth of Christ. The magi came sometime in those first months to bring gifts. One can presume with the birth of a child and all the comings and goings the in keeper and his wife would have been involved. Then there are the animals, and animal’s owners having a sneak peak. Thus it was very much a community event. As is our service, a time where we can meet together like they did back then and celebrate the birth of Christ.
And like then so it is today, Jesus is present with us. With Jesus came new hope, new life, and new possibilities. For centuries mankind had been looking for the Messiah, the one who would set us free and break the power of sin and guilt and shame. Many had hoped, walking in faith, eagerly awaiting the deliverer. Yet Hebrews said that thought they were faithful they did not receive the promise but saw them afar off (Heb 11:13). With Jesus, God became present on the earth and reconnected us with our Heavenly Father.
We need to remain persistent and faithful as those before us remained persistent and faithful. We have around us loved ones, family, friends, neighbours, workmates who we have shared and invited yet have not made that decision for Christ. We need to keep pushing in, keep praying, keep expecting the break through. Jesus birth did not occur as everyone expected. The new birth of those around us far from Christ may not occur as expected. Yet just as our Heavenly Father had ordained steps for the birth of Jesus, so He has a plan for new birth of our family and friends.
Jesus birth was a community event, that drew people in from all walks of life, from royalty to common man. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are celebrated by people from varying walks of life. Let’s take the opportunity to invite those around us, those we live with, those we work with, neighbours, family and friends – to share in the joy and hope we find in Christ this Christmas. You may have invited before and been rejected, or things did not work out as you hoped. Start to pray afresh for those you care about. Invite them again to Christmas Eve here at the church. Stay the course that you may attain the prize – this could be the year – the season – for the miracle of new birth for those in your world.
Talk About
1. Who would you like to see in Church with you?
2. Do you believe God can and will see them saved?
3. Do the words we say "undo" the prayers we pray with our loved ones?
4. Commit to praying for your 3 x 3 people
Remember - Read through the NT.
