YOU Are the Reason for the Season – Christmas Gospel

These last couple of days I have been pondering and rolling around in my head, the little seasonal rhyme, ‘Jesus is the reason for the season.’  It fits well as a lapel pin, even hangs proudly as an ornament on our trees, and splattered in gold across our Christmas cards.  I like it!  The message is clear and points to Jesus!

Yet… I began to think of this in theological terms, the accuracy of it. I know… I KNOW you are rolling your eyes at this point. But bear with me. I am a people watcher, I watch how they walk, talk, their mannerisms, and their facial expressions (there is much entertainment in it… nough said).  The other day as I was out and about shopping I watched their faces, looked into their eyes, wondering if THEY knew Jesus. Then it dawned on me …‘THEY are the reason for the season!’

Simply said, the season is Christmas. Christmas is JESUS, His birth. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)  Jesus came to earth; He lived to die, resurrected and sits on the right side of the Father …  He did ALL this for US!  WE are the ‘whosoever’.  WE are the reason for the season, the reason Jesus came! YOU are the reason for the season! (Ok, group HUG!) He came for YOU!

Even with all the self-interest, self-emersion and all the “I” focus today, I challenge us this Christmas to look into the eyes of those around us, consider THEM, and be you focused. What a great opening line to the gospel, said with heartfelt humility as we gently lean forward in the checkout stand at Walmart, “Did you know YOU are the reason for the season?” (Take note not to be said with ‘Game Show’ hype).   Their confused response, “WHAT!?!” Then quickly tell them about Jesus as not to hold up the line behind us, “Yup, the Bible says God sent His Son Jesus as a gift, and whosoever believes and accepts the gift, well they are saved by God’s grace and get all His eternal life stuff… and YOU my new friend (look at their name tag and call them by name) fall under the ‘whosoever.‘   As we pay our bill, offering a hardy, ‘Merry Christmas.’   Holy Spirit can take it from there.

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Blessed Christmas to you and yours, YOU are the reason for the season.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love & deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)