Celebrating Christmas
“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.'” Luke 2:9, 10.
December 25th has long been celebrated as the day of Jesus' birth, and… it is not my purpose to affirm or question the appropriateness of celebrating this event on that day, but rather to dwell on the childhood and life of our Savior. It is my design to draw children's attention to the humble manner in which the Redeemer came into the world.
All of Heaven was interested in the great event of Christ's coming to Earth. Heavenly messengers came to make known the birth of the long-promised and awaited Savior to the humble shepherds who were tending their flocks by night on the plains of Bethlehem. The first manifestation that caught the shepherds' attention at the time of the Savior's birth was a dazzling light in the starry heavens, which filled them with awe and wonder. …
The astonished shepherds could hardly comprehend the precious message delivered to them by the angels, and when the dazzling light had dissipated, they said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” Luke 2:15-17.
What incomparable love Jesus showed for a fallen world! If the angels sang because the Savior was born in Bethlehem, shouldn't our hearts echo the joyful refrain: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”? Luke 2:14. Although we do not know the exact day of Christ's birth, we want to honor this sacred event. God forbid that anyone should be so short-sighted as to overlook this event because of uncertainty about the exact time.
Let us do what is within our power to fix the minds of children on these things that are precious to everyone who loves Jesus. Let us teach them how Jesus came into the world to bring hope, comfort, peace, and happiness to all. … May everyone's heart respond with great joy for the inestimable gift of the Son of God. — The Review and Herald, December 17, 1889. (Ellen G. White, Meditation “This Day With God”, December 17.)
Read also the following articles about Christmas:
Activities for Christmas Month
This Christmas, Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus
Why the Manger Replaced Our Christmas Tree
