The Reason for All Seasons

"So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."  Acts 5:41-42

Now that we are fully immersed into the Christmas season this year, I can't help but notice once again all the debate and bickering about the "Reason for the Season."  It's obvious that the holiday has become more about gifts and decorations than about Jesus, at least to a vast majority, but for those of us who claim to be believers, like myself, this season is supposed to be a celebration of the arrival of the greatest gift God has ever given us, Jesus Christ.  But in that celebration, are we not supposed to share His goodness through grace?  What would reveal Jesus more?  Arguing with one another or showing love by celebrating together?

Of course, I don't want Christ taken out the season by changing it's meaning, but I am also not so naive to think that those who don't believe in my Savior are going to worship Him during the holiday.  But why do we choose to defend the little things more than Christ's love?  For example, the battle between Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  Why does this even matter?  During the season of  God's gracious giving and compassion, it's not really Christ-like of me to get angry over a heartfelt address of glad tidings.  Instead, I should choose to greet them back, with the same kindness and compassion that Christ would show, maybe even with a Happy Holiday in return.  Why?  Not because I don't want to mention the name of Christ, but because I want to show His love through my life and my actions.

As much as I enjoy the Christmas holiday, it's not the only season of Jesus during the year.  I guess I could argue that Easter is a more important religious holiday, because if it weren't for His death, I would have no life, but it's still not a more important season.  Not to downplay God's gift of His only Son or His life-giving death on the cross, but Jesus shouldn't just be a reason for these celebratory seasons.  He is the reason for all seasons.  He deserves my praise, my devotion, my life and my gifts every day, not just on those of specific importance.  He created every season and put all things in them as they should be.  I should not cease to rejoice at being counted worthy to suffer for His name daily. 

So as things get busy, our families come and go, we spread around greetings of joy, and we all give and receive wonderful things during the holiday season, let's also join together to remind those around us that Jesus is the only reason for anything.  Let's try to show Him in every aspect of everything that we do, not just in the special times, but all the time, and watch Him move in an unbelieving world.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Gracious God, thank You for sending Your Son to be born as a man and to die that we might have life.  But help us to not bring so much focus on the holiday that we lose sight that You are the reason for all seasons.  Help us to instead use this season as an opportunity to show Your love and grace to anyone who might need more of You, and help us to not get distracted by the little disputes that might pull us away from shining Your light to this dark world.  In Jesus' precious name, Amen.