Christmas is never over. Each year we are reminded of the Birth of Jesus as we go through all the motions of the Christmas season, but it is never over when the traditional holiday activities end. Now that the Son of God has come, Christmas can never be over. Today we move toward Christmas Future even as we celebrate Christmas Past, but it is really always Christmas Present. We live in the present as recipients of Good News that does not fade with the passage of time. It remains long after the decorations are back in the closet.
The theme of our Christmas family devotion this year was just that—Good News. It is also the theme of our family Christmas tree. Every year I decorate with symbols of faith, hope and love. Today, I took a stroll through the house, remembering the people, places, sights and sounds represented by each piece of decoration—each shining with meaning in my life. They remind me that the joy of the season comes from the Good News and does not go back in a box and into a closet when December 25th is past.
All the sights and sounds of Christmas play a melody in my heart to the tune of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” my favorite among the many wonderful Christmas carols that I so enjoy. The lines resonate in my soul: “Their old familiar carols play; and wild and sweet the words repeat, of peace on earth, good will to men.” And I do believe the phrase stops there, as it is translated in the KJV. It is not just good news to good men with whom God is well pleased or those on whom His favor rests—but the Gospel is Good News to all who will receive it—and to all who will not. His favor rests on all of us, whether we receive it or not.
The Good News is summed up in the words of the Apostle Paul, recorded in Romans 8: 1-2: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” Now THAT is good news. There is… NOW… NO… condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Zero. None. Nada. Zilch. Those on whom God’s favor rests are those who have received the gift that God has given. It is not because they are better than others. They are those with whom God is well pleased, not because they are more religious than others, but because they have trusted in the Good News. No one is excluded.
Indeed, Christmas is wonderful Good News for all—from God who loves us as He loved His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. Long after the Christmas decorations are taken down and life returns to its regular pace, I intend to keep singing the chorus we sang during Advent at Hayes Barton Baptist Church:
Lord, You are more precious than silver
Lord, You are more costly than gold
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds
And nothing I desire compares with You
(Lynn DeShazo, © 1982 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music)
Christmas Prayer:
You, O Lord, are Good News! Thank You for setting us free from all that we could not be set free from without the coming of Jesus. Thank you that the Good News is a present hope, not just a hope for the future beyond this life. Even now we are blessed beyond measure by the Presence of Christ and the full assurance of God’s Love and Forgiveness. There is no greater hope, no greater freedom, than that found in the Good News. Amen.
