Yet, when all the fluff, presents, cookies, and mysticism are stripped away from the American Christmas season, the real reason to celebrate quietly emerges. For the true believer, Christmas is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. The real meaning of Christmas causes us to reflect on what is important in life. But beyond the warmth we feel when gathering with loved ones and getting a day off of work, Christmas should be about celebrating the birth of a King as the vital event leading to the inauguration of God's Kingdom and ultimate plan to redeem earth from evil oppression.
All of the wrongs of this world are put to right when humans repent and embrace the Kingdom of Heaven. The incarnation of Jesus as God's anointed is truly Good News! It should be celebrated. Why? First, the Savior had to be born before he could bring us new revelation from Heaven. He had to be born before he was brutally crucified on our behalf. He had to die before he could rise again and defeat death. He was born to "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). We ultimately celebrate Christmas because a whole new era of humanity was brought about and can exist because of God's great gift to creation.
Many of the classic Christmas hymns capture and celebrate the underlying reason for celebrating Christmas, rightly putting the focus on King Jesus and the arrival of the Kingdom.
Here are three, first:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ, by highest heav'n adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favored one.
Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail! the heav'n born Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Next:
O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Lastly:
O Holy Night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of King Jesus because under his law and rule, sin and evil are defeated and earth is redeemed. Through Jesus, God gets to rule over his beloved creation and does so when people obey the laws of the new nation.
In order to embrace Jesus as King, we need to humbly submit to his commandments. The very first command of Jesus is to "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2). We must "forsake this world of vanity and all it's lewd deception" in order to embrace, realize, and appreciate the true meaning of Christmas.
Zion's Harp #107, verses 1-3:
Forsake this world of vanity and all its lewd deception!
Invite the Prince of Peace to thee, give Him a true reception.
Approach Him humbly, low, and meek.
Childlike, His grace and mercy seek, for surely He first loved thee.
He came in humble modesty and brought to us all blessings,
There in a manger slumbered He, eternal gifts possessing.
Arrayed in feeble flesh and blood appeared the gracious Son of God
To bring us all redemption.
In servant form the Saviour came, from bonds of sin releasing.
His loving face upon us shone with comfort, peace and blessing.
Removes all judgment and suspense, shows us the Father’s countenance
With love and grace surrounded.
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