The Reason for the Season

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.^{1 John 3:8b}

Each year I find it perplexing that even those who do not consider themselves true followers of Christ celebrate Christmas. And they probably do it with more pomp than those who live by the commands of Christ.

In any celebration or commemoration it is only a fool who participates without knowing the real reason behind the event. A wise man does a little research before lending his time and largesse to a holy day he doesn't fully understand. Only then can he appreciate the solemnity with which true believers carry the day. 

It seems to me that the excessive carousing and binging around Christmas is testimony to man's ignorance on the things of God. Few stop to ask themselves; why Christmas?

A Sunday school class might probably respond that Christmas is when we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. To which I would pose the question; why is Christmas important?

Christmas is not a special holiday mentioned in the Bible. Furthermore it’s now clear that Christ was not born on 25th December. Again there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that the early church fathers commemorated the birth of Christ. As such, and following in their example, I do not consider Christmas an important holiday.

What I consider of infinite importance is the fact that at some point in history, Christ came into this world. Why was he born into our world? The Bible couldn't have been clearer;

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

All very good then. We all want the devil's malevolent work destroyed. But what is that devil's work?
Again the Bible explains ever so clearly. The full passage reads;

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

Satan's main work has been to cause men, women and children to sin. Jesus was born into our world to destroy the work of the devil which is sin. Sin ultimately leads to death (James 1:14-15). Christ came to destroy sin and its natural consequence-death. This is the reason for the season.

Therefore, it goes without saying that any celebration around the birth of Christ that does not recognise the solemnity of this fact is a farce. Any Jesus-birthday celebration that does not connect the manger with Calvary is a mockery of God's costliest gift to mankind. And trust me, you do not want to mock God.

I hope you now understand why I am perplexed at all the binging and carousing around Christmas. It simply doesn't add up. God gives up his son to destroy sin but some individuals commemorate that special moment by sinning and not just in their usual way, but by indulging their wildest desires in grotesque and shameful ways. In the face of an omniscient and all-powerful God I would say, "..they they are incredibly unwise!"

God is yet merciful. He is willing to forgive (and forget) 1 john 1:9. For us long as we are still alive we are granted the privilege of seeking forgiveness for sin- including that of desecrating  what should be the real reason behind Christmas? When we die the opportunity is lost forever (Hebrews 9:27)
The true follower of Christ is charged with interceding on behalf of his fellow man who still doesn't know God.

Are you a true follower of Christ?

If yes, then find a corner and for the sake of those you love but are yet lost, say a prayer that Christ may destroy the work of the devil in them.