Last night I watched “Community”.  I often enjoy this show for a variety of reasons, but last night I was frustrated.  The moral of the story seemed to be that it doesn’t matter what you believe, Christmas is for everyone.  It sounds nice, but it simply isn’t true.  I don’t care if an atheist wants to buy presents for their friends or simply participate out of respect for friends and relatives, I am fine with that.  I am fine with Jews wanting to celebrate Hanukah.  What I am not fine with is watering down Christmas to the point where Christ is not longer what the holiday is about.  This is exactly what was done on “Community” last night.  It is one thing if this is done in Hollywood, it is another if it is happening in our churches.

Christmas should be fun, it should be celebrated for what it is, the incarnation of God himself.  Immanuel, God with us.  The savior comes to be the sacrificial lamb providing atonement for our sins.  Christmas is about peace (with God) and good will (from God).  It is not about kindness to others, buying presents, receiving presents, or about great meals (although I enjoy all of those things).  Let us all as ministers of the Gospel take advantage of this time of year to proclaim that very message.