It occurred to me from advertisements I am seeing and conversations that I am overhearing that a lot of children are receiving mixed signals from the significant adults in their lives about the meaning of Christmas. This is sad. It is not surprising because the pattern was set the very first Christmas.
Matthew 2:7-8 (NIV) records, “The Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him’”. Of course, he didn’t want to worship, he wanted to kill him.
Pretense at worship is a deadly thing, especially for children. As sad as it is, at least children in families of Christ-rejecters don’t have to deal with hypocrisy.
Many people outwardly accept the birth of the Savior but inwardly reject Jesus and his lifestyle. (The Son of God, who didn’t own a place to lay his head at night would feel out of place in many sumptuous, suburban homes.) It confuses the children so much that some kids think the baby in the manger is like the Easter bunny or the Tooth Fairy.
When you drop your child off at the mall with a fistful of money to waste, “because its Christmas”, will you give the child an equal amount to give the Lord Jesus in worship? Parents need to partner with their children in a true worshipful time in December. After, all, they do know whose birthday it is, don’t they?
Resolve today that you haven’t given your child or grandchild anything for Christmas if you haven’t given them a fresh appreciation of the fact that “God loved the world so much that he gave his only son.” (John 3:16)
Don’t take a chance on leaving your child confused again. Focus on Jesus!
“Reveal to us, one more time, O Lord, the true meaning of Christmas. We
need to get back to the basics once more before Christmas Day. Amen”
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