Legitimizing Christmas

All my life I have come across sincere Christians who not only oppose
Christmas as a celebration but positively feel it is wrong and not
pleasing to God. I know one minister who preaches against Christmas. He
believes he is glorifying God by doing this. I have another very close
friend who has refused to celebrate Christmas for many years, but recently
made a slight turn and now accepts it and blesses those who do.

My opinion has always been that, even if people are right by opposing
Christmas, is it worth the effort? What good is accomplished by printing
tracts and carrying placards against Christmas. The funny – or sad – thing
is, they could join an ever-increasing number of atheists who have decided
to spend money on trying to get rid of Christmas. So these anti-Chrstmas
Christians and anti-Christian atheists could have a party!

But I want to put another view. I think God likes and accepts Christmas
and – possibly – honors those who do. Why? Because of the worship of Jesus
on Palm Sunday. I have a sermon called WORSHIPING GOD FOR THE WRONG
REASONS – namely, what they did on Palm Sunday. Those who shouted HOSANNA
on the original Palm Sunday were excited because they were convinced that
Jesus would reveal His power and purpose in coming – by overthrowing Rome.
That is what the crowds were excited about. NOT because He was the Son of
God. NOT because He would shortly be dying on a cross for our sins. But
because He was the promised Messiah that would succeed David as the new
King of Israel and put Jerusalem back in glory as it once had been. That
is why they were shouting. No other reason.

Did Jesus get upset with these people? Did He rebuke them? Did he say “NO
– stop it. You are worshipping me for the wrong reason”? Not at all. Jesus
accepted their praise. He said if they didn’t praise him the rocks would
cry out. As for the children who were in on this celebration, what could
they possibly know? And yet it was the Pharisees who were offended at them!

A couple years ago I was in a church where the worship went over the top –
in my opinion. It was noisy. I mean horribly loud. People were jumping up
and down. Carrying banners and flags. Worst of all I was on the front row.
To be honest, I not only was uncomfortable; I was resentful. When all of a
sudden a voice entered into my mind: “They are worshipping Me”. I was
smitten and sorry for my attitude. I could see that Jesus didn’t mind at
all. I minded. He liked it.

I think Christmas is something like that.