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You know it hasn’t always been this way in America, don’t you? Did you know that Alabama was the first state to recognize Christmas Day in 1890? Did you know that Oklahoma was the last state of the then 48 states to legalize Christmas Day in 1890? Have we made progress or not?
In the Colonial America that we see in Williamsburg during December all seems quietly beautiful and reverent. But did you know that in Puritan-controlled Massachusetts Bay Colony that Christmas was just another day for business as usual? In fact, in May, 1659 the General Court of Massachusetts enacted in a law calling for a fine of five shillings for those observing Christmas Day. The Puritan preachers could not imagine celebrating the birth of the Savior with eating and drinking and having parties. Other colonies were not as strict but all emphasized the celebrating of Christmas with worship.
Now, just suppose: suppose a law was passed in Congress saying that you could no longer celebrate Christmas the way you always have in America? What would you do? Could you survive or endure December 25 if there was no entertainment to receive or entertaining to do? All of your efforts and time consumption, how would you redirect it?
At the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:13), “A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ “ This should probably serve as our guideline or plumb line. Is everything I am planning for celebrating Christmas shaping up according to these words?
Somewhere between the Puritan extreme of no celebration and the current celebrate-only extreme is a meaningful holiday experience. Find it and give Jesus a worthy worship.
“Dear Lord Jesus, in our hearts we want to do it right but the pressures
of our desire for material things makes it so hard and we are weak. Amen
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