Why Christmas?

Why do we celebrate Christmas?  The early Christians debated about whether or not is was appropriate.  It seems now so ingrained, that we cannot imagine skipping this holiday.  Many would identify Christmas as the most important, or perhaps just the favorite, holiday of the year.  Our traditions are an amalgamation of traditions stolen from all different cultures.  Some of out traditions have pagan roots and symbols which we have bent to out own purpose.  In America, at least, (likely elsewhere, but I don't know) we spend more on Christmas than any other time of year, bar none.  We spend more on food, on decor, on gifts, and on lattes.  Christmas is huge! We fight political battles every year to ensure that our beloved nativity scenes can be displayed on publicly owned property.  If you listen in the card isle of the stores, you will hear angry Christian raving about 'season's greetings' or 'happy holidays' cards which displace the 'merry Christmas' sentiment.  

I suspect that a large part of why the holiday is as big as it is, is because it is fun.  There is nothing wrong with that.  God made us a people capable of joy and humor.  Jesus likes a good party!   

For centuries people have been celebrating Christmas in different ways all over the world.  The early naysayers obviously lost the argument.  How would we justify our festivities to them?

Hopefully we can tell them that under the parties, there is meaningful worship and meditation.  This celebration makes us better Christians.  

On this day we remember how our Lord humbled himself among us.  We remember that he was born in poverty.  The first people to meet our Lord were shepherds.  This meditation reminds us to be humble.  We remember that the angels sang at His birth.  All of creation worships this King, and we do not forget to offer him our praises.  We contemplate peace.  We pray for peace.  We make peace with those we can.  We remember Mary.  She is a perfect model of humble obedience in love.  

Getting ready for Christmas, we get ready for Christ.  Ours is not an affected joy.  Our joy comes from the Lord.  We prepare our hearts for God, before we prepare our homes for the party.  So, with all creation, we sing in joyful exaltation when our Lord comes in glory.  As we prepare for our celebration of our Lord's birth we prepare ourselves to receive him.  We get ready for his glorious return.  This is why we celebrate Christmas.  Don't skip the preparation.