I relish everything of the Christmas season, knowing that even the person least aware of its deepest meaning is still being touched by the impact of the greatest fact of all: “God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son … whoever believes may have everlasting life!” (John 3:16) That “greatest fact” is worth receiving as a reminder that the cost of Christmas celebration never need be argued against because “it costs so much.” Decorating and celebrating—giving and receiving gifts at this season—are not unworthy practices (as though “spending” at Christmas was merely “commercial”).
The Cost of Christmas
It’s not so, loved one. Never let yourself become snared in that cynical trap! Christmas has always been costly—from the very beginning, in fact. It cost Heaven everything! Bethlehem’s barnyard cradle wasn’t the only sacrifice. It was simply the original packaging for the treasure that Heaven’s heart was giving us. The Cross was the real cost of Christmas, for it was wrapped in the Gift from the start—a Gift that was marvelously and mysteriously provided for and prepaid from before all time! (1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8)
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So it was, the Christmas Child came to us. And in light of appropriately evaluating that costly gift, everything in me wants to answer a call I hear the Spirit whispering this season. He’s summoning me—can you hear Him too? He’s calling us to “spend big” this season—to do so in a dynamic and holy way that answers to one of this season’s most common maxims: “Christmas is for children.” It’s a common sentiment, but join me in probing more deeply its meaning in the light of Heaven’s gift of the Child.
