Word of Prayer: The birthday party that is Christmas

By  Guest Columnist Dylan Jones

When it comes to the Christmas season, what is it that you truly enjoy? Is it the bright shining lights of the town square of Canton? Is it playing of cheesy Christmas movies and music? Or is it the receiving and giving of gifts? 

Whatever it may be, have we gotten so lost in the “Christmas Traditions” that we forget the true meaning of why we celebrate Christmas?

I remember waking up on Christmas morning and seeing all the gifts under the tree, my excitement billowing up, making me ready to tear into wrapping paper and see what was given to me. Even now, as a 25-year-old adult, I can still get so caught up in the giving and receiving of gifts that I truly forget the meaning of Christmas. 

Isaiah 9: 6 states, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

We celebrate Christmas because a child was born for us. Over 2,000 years ago, God sent his son from on high to be born in a manger for us. Luke 2: 11 says, “Today, in the city of David, a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, Lord.” So when we celebrate Christmas, we don’t need to get caught up in exchanging gifts and hanging beautiful lights; when we celebrate Christmas, we should really be celebrating the fact that a savior had finally been born. That the ultimate gift was right there in front of us, wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. 

We also see too that the Son wasn’t just born for us, but that he was actually given to us. So, when Christmas comes around, we need to be reminded that Christ had come in flesh to redeem the world, and that a Savior had come to bring hope, joy, peace, and salvation for humanity. This gift that God had given in Jesus meant that our Savior was here in the flesh to take our sins from us. So, while we can get caught up in giving gifts to people, we should not forget that we are truly celebrating that the ultimate gift of hope, joy, and salvation had come for humanity. It meant that we could finally have a personal relationship with God, because Jesus had come to take away our sins. 

So, as we enter into this Christmas season, let us not get so caught up in the “Christmas Traditions” that we forget the true meaning of Christmas. My prayer is that we would humbly go before the Lord and ask God to remind us of the greatest gift that has ever been given this Christmas season. I also pray, too, that we would take time this Christmas season and read about the coming of Jesus. And then, finally, that we would take time to lift Jesus’ name on high this Christmas season, because Christmas means that our Savior has come. 

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Dylan Jones is an ascend resident with students at PineLake Madison. He is from Louisville, Mississippi, and is a graduate of Mississippi State University.