by Douglas Goodin
[This is from a meditation I gave tonight at our Christmas Eve service. It was a children's program telling the Christmas story by quoting Old Testament prophecies and New Testament fulfillments.]
Christmastime creates a clash of two worldviews. This conflict can be demonstrated by the lyrics of two popular Christmas songs—It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Joy to the World.
The first can be sung enthusiastically by every American. "Kids jingle-belling," "holiday greetings," "marshmallows," "mistletoe," "loved ones drawing near," such feel-good activities bring smiles to our faces regardless of religious conviction or worldview. The second, however, can only be sincerely sung by those who view the world the way the Bible views the world. Only Christians can sing, "the Lord and King is come," "the Savior reigns," and "He rules the world." Only the Christian would dare to sing of "sin" and "curse" and the need for a Savior. Only the Christian understands that the true joy of Christmas is the birth of God's Son who would receive the punishment we deserve for our rebellion against God's commands. And only the Christian proclaims, honestly, that Jesus Christ is the Universal Emperor, the Ruler of the every nation on planet earth.
Christmas productions (like tonight's) also demonstrate this worldview clash. Pull together a group of cute kids, with a few costumes and props, add a little music, and you have a can't-lose evening of smiles and cheer, regardless of the content. Anyone could enjoy this program. But their story was not just a good, old, American feel-good, festive event. Their's was the story of Jesus Christ, the only hope for sinners, and the King of the earth. Their story recounted the Old Testament promises of God foretelling Christ's coming. Their story quoted the New Testament fulfillments of God's promises when Christ came. Their story was not intended merely to be cute. Their story was about God—the eternal, holy, omnipotent, glorious God—becoming a man so that He could suffer the flames of hell, as it were, in our place. That's not cute. But it is the most joyous, most inspiring, most delightful, most hopeful, most smile-provoking, most wonderful story that could possibly be told.
For non-Christians, the joy of Christmas is hollow and ephemeral. It will eventually give way to horror because of sin. The flames of hell will be theirs to suffer, forever. For we who believe the good news of Jesus Christ, the joy of Christmas will only become increasingly solid throughout all eternity. We are forgiven. Our future is the glory of Christ, forever. For us, every day is the most wonderful time of the year, not because of heart-warming songs and holiday cheer, but because our Lord has come and our Savior reigns. From everlasting to everlasting, we will repeat the sounding joy and wonders of His love. Only a Christian understands the true wonder of Christmas.
Merry Christmas!