American consumers spend an average of $997.73 on gifts and holiday items each Christmas.
That’s approximately the same as the median pre-tax weekly salary of $1,001.
Put another way, the average American spends about a week’s salary on Christmas gifts annually.
We as believers need to avoid the dangers of getting all caught up in the season and forgetting the reason for the season.
Let’s look at four reasons for the season:
1) The arrival of our Savior.
Luke 2:11 says: “for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
It is very easy during the Christmas Season to get all wrapped up in the temporal things of this life.
We cannot allow the world around us to get us sidetracked from what we are to be celebrating, our Savior’s arrival.
2) Focus on the gift of God’s Son at Christmas.
2 Cor. 9:15 says: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
If there ever was a season that tempts people to be greedy, it is the Christmas Season, because many people way overspend at Christmas.
When we focus on the gift of God’s Son at Christmas we can overcome the greed of Christmas.
3) Share the Christ of Christmas with others.
2 Timothy 4:2 says: “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.”
There isn’t any better time to share Christ than in the Christmas Season, it truly is “in season.”
How often do we seek to impress others this season by what we buy them for Christmas, how we decorate our house, or the spread we put on for the Christmas parties.
People are far more open to the gospel at this time, so let’s share Him as we have opportunity.
4) Worship the Christ of Christmas.
Matthew 2:11 says: “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him.”
Let’s not get all wrapped up in the excitement of Christmas rather than the worship of Christmas.
We are to be excited about Christmas, but remember “Who” we are to be excited about, Jesus!
If we stay occupied with the Person of Christmas, we can fight off getting too “high” to the point of a letdown after Christmas.
In December 1903 after many attempts, the Wright Brothers were successful in getting their “flying machine” off the ground.
Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: “We have actually flown 120 feet. “Will be home for Christmas.”
Katherine hurried to the editor of the local newspaper and showed him the message.
He glanced at it and said, “How nice. The boys will be home for Christmas.”
He totally missed the big news – man had flown!
Many people today make a similar mistake when they hear the word Christmas.
Let’s remember the reason for the season!
Merry Christmas!
Pastor Ken Keeler, Director of Church Ministries