Christmas Is For the Hurting
By David Matranga
We have made Christmas a lot of things. It is a time to get together with family and enjoy a hearty feast, or a time to go shopping. Some decorate their homes, wear bright sweaters, and sing their hearts out. Many look for ways to help others, and many find themselves fighting the materialistic aspects of the holiday. We could go on and on. Among all of these traditions, we have grown accustomed to hearing how, for the lonely and hurting, this can be the worst time of the whole year. This is especially grieving because, of all the holidays out there, Christmas is for the hurting.
Jesus came into this world during a dark time. When He was born, even those who claimed to be servants of the Lord were using their titles to line their pockets and pad their resumes. The hurting and poor were left with little from those who were supposed to be their primary source of hope. But then Jesus came and changed everything.
Quite literally, we celebrate Christmas during the darkest time of the year. And it’s during this time that the light of Jesus, His love and purpose, can and should shine the brightest. The Wise Men responded properly in Matthew 2:10:
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”
The Wise Men were moved to generosity - and we ought to be, too. We even have options in our generosity. Many of us have been blessed with finances that can help those in need. We can use other resources to donate used jackets or blankets to the homeless. We can invite neighbors or even strangers into our homes to join our family meals. Even if these are not available, we can speak life, encourage, and pray for those in need. Simply put, we all can be generous in one way or another. But even these things fall short.
Christmas is for the hurting because Christ is the Savior of the world. He is the promise to the hurting, the lost, the broken, and the orphan that their current darkness does not have to be permanent. The apostle James warns Christians to not send the needy away when we have the food or clothes they lack. I fear today he would also chastise many for giving the food or clothes they lack and holding back the spiritual nourishment they need. Both are important.
More than any other act of goodwill, helping those who are without hope find the hope in our Redeemer is the greatest gift we can give. We can get upset because saying "Merry Christmas" is not politically correct, but the proclamation that really needs to be made can step on a few more toes: Jesus Christ has come to save us sinners.
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
- John 1:29
She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
- Matthew 1:21
So whatever this season has come to mean for you, let it first be an encouragement to spread the joy of our King Jesus. It is, after all, a celebration of His birth, and that makes it the best possible holiday to a lost and hurting world.
