How should we as Christians celebrate Christmas? With so many things like lights, Christmas trees, presents, and more, it’s difficult to discern the meaning of it all. This weekend, we will take a look at some of these traditions, some myths surrounding Christmas, and we will uncover the true meaning of the season. The title of this weekend’s message is “CHRISTMAS MYTHBUSTERS.”
One of my pet peeves is reading or listening to claims that many of our Christmas traditions are just pagan rituals that should be abandoned. Here are some facts on a few of them:
Do you know that one house during Christmas that everything is lit up, even the doghouse! If you’re like me, you say – “I wonder what their electric bill’s gonna be like!” Where did we get this tradition? Legend has it that Martin Luther, the German Reformer, was taking a walk through the woods one late December night and he saw the moonlight sparkling on the snow-covered branches of the evergreen trees. He was so struck by their beauty that he tried to recreate the sparkle by attaching candles to his Christmas tree. It reminded him of Jesus the light of the world. With the coming of electricity, people began to decorate even their homes and yards with light. So when you drive by that house, ask yourself instead, “Is Jesus shining brightly in my life?” Merry Christmas!