X Marks the Spot
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Now it’s a ‘holiday tree’, ‘winter break’, and soon, we’ll all be dreaming of a white holiday!
The most important part of the word “Christmas” is where many are placing the “X” today. At least they are marking the most important part of the season…the very reason for it!
Because the Greek form of Christ, is “Christos”, and the first Greek letter in His name is the letter, “Chi,” (which looks like an “x,”), they say that early Christians would sometimes abbreviate the name in their writings with the “Chi” letter of the Greek Alphabet.
However since most people know nothing of the Greek alphabet - we need to keep the “Chi” or the “X” out, and Christ in!
The name of Christ is predominant throughout the Bible. He is the central theme from Genesis through Revelation. The name of Christ is a pre-eminent name in the N.T. (Col 1:18) “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
Peter tells us in (Acts 4:12) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Paul says in (Phil 2:10) “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”
(Phil 2:11) “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Matthew says, in regard to His name, (Mat 1:21) “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
(Mat 1:23) “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
God says of His Son, Jesus Christ, (Mat 3:17) “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus says, concerning Himself, (John 4:25) “The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.”
(John 4:26) “Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.”
Be careful not to replace Christ with:
I. PAGEANTRY
I love presents, putting up a tree, lights, etc. But have we lost sight of the One marked with the X?
It seems that we must give greater presents to our friends than they gave us last year. What a mockery and a madness the shopping whirl has become.
It should be Christ the pre-eminent One at Christmas, not spending.
It should be Christ, not gifts, that get the attention.
It should be Christ, not pageantry, that is glamorized, and magnified.
I love programs, and we’ll have a couple this Sunday, and I used to do a huge one [Living Christmas Tree]. I’m not saying it cannot be done right, for it can…but it can easily become what we think of at Christmas, in the place of the X!
Man made lights and decorations should not receive the preeminence. There was THAT Light that was laying in a manger on that sacred night in Bethlehem.
It is THAT Light that we must magnify and adore at Christmas time.
It is THAT Light for whom the star shown so bright that night in Bethlehem.
THAT Light is the Light of the world. He is the Light of the Gospel. He is the Light unto my path. He is the Light of my soul. Without Him my entire life and world would be in darkness.
[secular music instead of the sacred] What else?
Do not replace Christ with the pageantry of the season.
II. PROFIT
I’ll not dwell on this one thought long, but the Christmas season is one of great profit to the commercial society.
Many merchants say that they could not survive the rest of the year if it were not for the Christmas sales. I’m sure that is true; however, that should not be the emphasis for the believer. The commercial magnitude of Christmas has all but taken Christ out of every avenue of the real meaning of what Christmas is supposed to mean.
Don’t take Christ out of Christmas and replace Him with profit.
Don’t allow money to overshadow Him.
III. PLEASURE
This is not a time to party and indulge, as much as reflect and remember, worship and win souls!
Don’t replace Christ with pleasure.
IV. PEOPLE
There were several people connected with the birth of Christ.
In the fields, there were shepherds. In the stable was His mother, and Joseph her husband. There was the angel who made the announcement to the shepherds, and then there was the heavenly host who joined in the announcement with the praises and giving glory to God. Of course, the most important figure was that of the Babe in the Manger, the One who would grow up and in a few years be led to Mt. Calvary where He would give His life and shed His blood for the sins of the world.
There are some people whom we should not give the pre-eminence.
A. Santa
Can anyone deny that he represents the real meaning of Christmas in most homes in America today? Is he really as harmless as he is made out to be? Is he really just a jolly, fat elf, dressed in a red suit, or has he become the symbol of greed, materialism, and selfishness? He has replaced Christ in Christmas by design of Satan.
If our children are taught that there is a real person known as Santa Claus, then when they realize the truth they will discover that they have been lied to. If Santa is just a myth, why would they have any other view of God?
Teach your children the truth about the Scriptures, the Lord Jesus Christ, and what Christmas is really about. Don’t fill their mind with some fantasy of an imaginary person who can fulfil all of their desires. Only God can do that.
B. Self
For the most part, people are very selfish at Christmas time. They tend to make it look like that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” when in reality they are fooling no one but themselves.
C. Satan
Satan wants the pre-eminence. He has vowed to become like God. He wants to ascend himself above Christ. He will stop at nothing to accomplish his goal. Christmastime is one of his most successful efforts. He has succeeded Christ’s name in most of the world. Most of the people who are breathing this season will not think of Christ but of Santa, Self, or Satan.
When Mary came to Bethlehem to give birth to the baby Jesus, the Bible says there was “no room for them in the inn.” Not much has changed.
Don’t replace Christ with some thing or someone. Allow Him to be pre-eminent in your life.
Let Christ have His rightful place in Christmas. Eliminate all other that might compete for His place.
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.
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