The season of Christmas as celebrated today is one marked by confusion, both within and without the church. Is it about December 25th as Jesus’ birthday? Is it about the giving and receiving of gifts? Is it about spending time with family?

It seems we often get lost in the details of “what” and “how” rather than probing the “who” and “why” of Christmas. Our conversations turn to old “St. Nicholas,” but not the historical Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (Asia Minor: modern-day Turkey) who was born in the 3rd century. St. Nicholas was known for his love of children, but gave to poor children in the name of the child born in Bethlehem - “old” St. Nick loved & served Jesus! Christmas is not about Santa Claus himself, but about the one he served – Jesus! We give gifts to children today, but did you know that our tradition of gift-giving traces its origin not only to the deeds of Saint Nicholas of Myra, but also to the Wise Men (“Magi” of Matthew 2) who bestowed gifts on the Christ-child? Even the biblical account of Christmas isn’t really about the angels, shepherds, wise Men or the Star of Bethlehem, but “who” was born in Bethlehem and “why” he came.

The very name “Christ-mas” comes from Christ-mass. A mass is a celebration of a death sacrifice-Jesus’ death on the cross. The truth of “Christ-mas” is that we celebrate the fact that the sweet baby of Bethlehem came to willingly suffer the consequences of our sin and die on a cross as God’s way of making things right between us and Him. Considering this, does it really matter what gifts we share or how many wise men there were or whether we believe in Santa Claus or know where he comes from? I don’t think so.

There is no Christmas without Good Friday and Easter. Can you see beyond the child in the manger to the God who has come to rescue you from the 'what and how' of your sin? In 1865, William Dix penned the words of “What Child is This?” His poetry sums up the “who” and the “why” of Christmas, especially this second verse:

Why lies He in such mean estate; Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here; The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary.

The main thing is that God has come among us - as The Message paraphrase says, "the Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood." (John 1:14) the Who of jesus is clear by the angels announcing his birth, by wise men (Gentiles!) coming from far away to see the new king, and from the way he lived as a servant. Who is this? Son of David, the Bright morning Star, Messiah, Jesus, Lord, King of Kings, Emmanuel-God with us! Why has he come? "...He will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

Merry Christ-mas!

Brian Smith