“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
Christmas really is “the most wonderful time of the year” as the entire season is one of light and joy that stands out from the other holidays in a unique way. May we never be bored with it and merely take it in stride or perhaps even be disgusted with it like Ebenezer Scrooge out of well-meaning piety or theological pride. Here are ten very practical wisdom points of application rooted in sound doctrine and the Biblical worldview for why I love Christmas. May they serve your family as tools to teach your children and grandchildren the redemptive joy of the holiday vested in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ whose incarnation and virgin birth we celebrate at Christmas.
1. Theology of Christmas – God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, became a Man in fulfillment of a multitude of Old Testament prophecies to redeem a world of rebel sinners through His substitutionary sacrifice at Calvary. Christ’s preexistence as the eternal Son of God, the second member of the triune Godhead, is central to understanding His incarnation and virgin birth. He is the “Theanthropic Person”, the God-Man, whose “hypostatic union” means that He now and forevermore possesses a Divine nature AND human nature, albeit without sin, in the all-glorious majesty of His radiant Person. Glory to the newborn Kind indeed!
These are the biblical truths that were central to the post-apostolic era of the Early Church as evidenced by such historic confessions of faith as the Nicene Creed and the Chalcedonian Creed from A.D. 325 and A.D. 451 respectively. Here are some great texts of Holy Scripture that our kids must be familiar with to understand the theology of Christmas: Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20; John 1:1-5, 14; Galatians 4:4-5; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-6.
2. Music of Christmas – Christ’s incarnation and virgin birth is great cause for rejoicing through singing the praises of the newborn King. Ancient, traditional, and modern Christmas carols are filled with robust Christology and rich biblical imagery that evoke an astonishing wonder before the Baby of Bethlehem’s manger crib. Through every age and dispensation of redemptive history, the people of God have been called to praise and worship in song our great God and Savior since He is the Eternal King, Sovereign Creator, and Merciful Redeemer who is faithful to the promises of His Word as the Great I AM (Ex.15:1-18; 1 Chr.16:7-36; Ps.96:1-9; 150:1-6; Mat.26:30; Acts 16:25; Col.3:16; Rev.15:3-4). Christmas is a miraculous testimony that bears witness to this all-glorious reality for time and eternity.
3. Liturgy of Christmas – Candlelight Worship Services, children’s programs, and advent wreaths (the regulative principle of worship notwithstanding) are notable facets to the liturgical or prescribed form of public worship gatherings as Christmastime. These events are often punctuated by choir ensembles/soloists, humorous costumes of those present at the Nativity, and the anticipated culmination of long-awaited excitement experienced in manifold measure at the celebration of the newborn King. Christ’s incarnation and virgin birth is indeed a tremendous reason to gather for special Worship Services with family and friends in the local church (Rom.1:1-3; 1 Tim.3:15; Heb.10:24-25).
4. Decorations of Christmas – Of all the Christmas décor that stands out, Christmas trees, lights, wreaths, miniature villages, vintage plastic figures, blow-up characters, and especially Nativity scenes are most notable. Just walk into any store, especially Hobby Lobby, and you’ll be reminded of the myriads of ways to decorate your home (and even your vehicle) for the holiday. Some have concerns about the supposed origins of things like Christmas trees and make extrapolated assertions drawn from Jeremiah 10:1-10. Others understand that Christmas trees can be seen as having a biblical and historical for being a redemptive expression of God’s faithfulness as Creator and Redeemer. They’re also just plain fun in the darkest time of winter. Regardless, seasonal décor is part of our everyday lives as it serves as a means of aesthetic beauty and functional purpose for image-bearers of our Creator. This is in tandem with the rhythm of life in a world created by the Eternal King whose exquisite handiwork points mankind to the all-glorious majesty of who He is (Gen.2:9; Ps.19:1; 24:1; Rom.1:20).
This is why I love Christmas! It is my prayer that such practical wisdom points of application, including those here below, would provide equipping tools for teaching your children and grandchildren the redemptive joy of the holiday.
To be continued…
*Recommended Christmas Resources:
Children’s Books & Family Read Alouds
- “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” (“The Chronicles of Narnia”) by C.S. Lewis
- “The Lightlings” by R.C. Sproul (children’s book & allegorical tale of Christmas)
- “Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers: The Trinity” by Joey Allen
- “The Story of St. Nicholas: More Than Reindeer and a Red Suit” by Voice of the Martyrs with Cheryl Odden
- “Little Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens & Joe Sutphin
- “Christmas in My Heart” anthologies compiled by Joe Wheeler
Advent & Christmas Devotionals
- “Proclamation Ornaments” by Adrian Rogers, Love Worth Finding Ministries
- “Adornaments: Christmas Names” by Barbara Rainey, Family Life Today
- “The Christmas We Didn’t Expect: Daily Devotions for Advent” by David Mathis
- “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas” edited by Nancy Guthrie
- “From Heaven: A 28-Day Advent Devotional” by A.W. Tozer
- “Come Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional” by Paul David Tripp
Biblical Christology & Doctrinal Studies
- “Christ’s Incarnation, The Marvel of Mortals” article by C.H. Spurgeon
- “The Incomparable Christ” by J. Oswald Sanders
- “Rejoicing in Christ” by Michael Reeves
- “Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ” by Timothy Keller
- “The King Has Come: The Real Message of Christmas” by James Montgomery Boice
- “The Amazing Names of the Messiah” booklet by Bill Crowder, Our Daily Bread Ministries
Biblical Worldview & Cultural Understanding
- “The War on Christmas: Battles in Faith, Tradition, and Religious Expression” by Bodie Hodge, General Editor
- “From Creation to Bethlehem” booklet by Ken Ham
- “God Rest Ye Merry: Why Christmas is the Foundation for Everything” by Douglas Wilson
*GFM recommends resources that have proved helpful, but we do not endorse everything a said author teaches.
