Most years I tend to lose sight of Jesus somewhere between the deals of Black Friday and the dawn of a new year. Of course I understand that Jesus is the real reason for the season, but the frantic pace I usually set to celebrate Christmas isn't very conducive to focusing on Him. Between Santa and jingle bells, Christmas parties, and presents to buy and hope for, I think most of us struggle to keep our attention focused on the baby in the manger. I've worked hard to make this a Christmas where I had time to consider the sacred. That's why I keep wondering how Jesus would celebrate His birth. It's true that Christmas is a holiday created by the church long after Jesus ascended into heaven. He never had the chance to partake in Christmas as we know it. But I think the Scriptures give us plenty of information to decide how He would spend this week. His example is always a lead we should follow. If Jesus were still walking the earth, what would He be doing this Christmas? Here's my best guess.
Jesus Would Celebrate Christmas
There are many places throughout the Gospels that record Jesus participating in the holidays of His culture. He ate holiday feasts with His family and friends (Matthew 26:18–19). John 7 shows Him attending church with His brothers during the Festival of the Tabernacle. Jesus wasn't a stick-His-head-in-the-sand kind of guy. He didn't sequester himself away from His culture. While there are plenty of elements of our traditional Christmas celebrations that don't focus on Him, I doubt Jesus would ask us to ditch the entire celebration based on principle. (My mom would call that throwing the baby out with the bath water). I believe He would join us at our church Christmas pageants and family dinners and would accept an invitation to join us in our decorated homes.
Jesus Wouldn't Focus on Presents
Jesus' teachings make it pretty clear that He wasn't into stuff. In Matthew 6:19, He said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." In Luke 12:15, He said, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." He never said possessions are bad. I don't see any evidence in Scripture that He would say giving each other gifts is wrong. But He did warn us that our stuff isn't as important as we think it is. This anti-materialism message is certainly worth noting at Christmastime.
Jesus Would Serve Others
Jesus repeatedly asks us to live our lives in service to others. I don't believe He'd use His birthday as a holiday from serving others. Specifically Jesus asked us to make an extra effort to meet the needs of the poor (Luke 11:41), the hungry and thirsty (Matthew 25:35), those in need of clothing (Matthew 25:36), the sick (Matthew 25:36), and those in prison (Matthew 25:36). I think it's great to spend Christmas with the people we cherish, including family and friends. But I don't think Jesus' Christmas celebrations would only include the people He is most familiar with. I believe He would spend His birthday in service to others. Can you think of one way you can reach out to the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the needy, the sick, or the imprisoned this Christmas?
Jesus Would Take the Opportunity To Teach the Good News
In John 7:14 and John 7:37, we see Jesus using a festival as an opportunity to teach truth. As I read these passages, I am reminded of the simple fact that not everyone knows about the true meaning of Christmas. Not everyone understands that Jesus didn't stay in a manger but went on to die to pay the price for our sin. Not everyone has peace that passes understanding and the hope that this life is not all there is. Jesus took advantage of those times when many people were gathered to celebrate a festival to reveal truth about God. We can do the same thing. Who will be at your Christmas party this week who doesn't know Him? Who will sit at your Christmas table on Saturday who doesn't have the hope that only He can give? Follow Jesus' lead, and take the unique opportunity that Christmas provides to teach others about Him. During this time of year, it's common to get caught up in wondering how Christmas is best celebrated. Clearly, this season isn't really about Santas and wreaths, presents and bows. It's about Him. He shows us how His miracle is best celebrated. Don't get too hung up on what's right or wrong about Christmas. Look to Jesus' example, and then bow your heart to the miracle in the manger.
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ (Colossians 2:13–17).