The Christmas Assumption

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 The Christmas season is marked by universally recognized images: twinkling lights, festive music, and perhaps the most iconic of all—the Nativity scene. These symbols are so commonplace that it is easy to fall into what we might call The Christmas Assumption: the belief that because people celebrate the holiday, they must understand the actual story of Jesus Christ.

    Several years ago, a Baptist Press story highlighted the danger of this assumption. A missionary traveling through a staunchly Buddhist area of Southeast Asia noticed something unusual in an open-air market: several beautifully crafted Nativity sets.

    The missionary was curious and tracked down the family making them. To his surprise, they knew nothing about the pieces they were selling. A French tourist had simply suggested they make the sets to sell alongside their other handmade items. The family had absolutely no idea what the Nativity figures represented.

    The missionary was then given a wonderful opportunity: to take each piece of the set and explain the Christmas story to them, sharing the truth of Christ's birth.

The Wise Men’s Shock

    This modern story parallels an ancient one involving the very first Christmas celebration. When the Wise Men arrived in Jerusalem, they were searching for the newborn King. They assumed everyone in the capital, especially the King himself, would be waiting for the Messiah's arrival.

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.’” 

(Matthew 2:1-2, ESV)

    The Wise Men assumed that everyone would know where the Messiah was—especially King Herod. After all this was the nation of Israel the place where the Messiah was to be born!

     But what was Herod’s reaction? He was completely ignorant that the Messiah had come. The arrival of the Wise Men was a shock to him and to all of Jerusalem.

    Herod, despite living in the heart of Jewish prophecy and history, was oblivious to the most significant event in history. He had the symbols of faith (the Scriptures and the priests) all around him, but he was deaf to the truth.

Let’s Not Assume

    This is my point for the Christmas season: Let’s not assume anything.

    Just because people say "Merry Christmas," or put up a Nativity set in their home or yard, or even go to church for Christmas, let’s not assume they know Jesus. They may be celebrating the custom without knowing the Christ.

    The greatest gift we can give this season is the good news that the true King has come. We must make sure we share Jesus with others, so they too might hear and receive the good news. The Good News of Christmas is the Good News of the Gospel: Jesus came to restore us to God, forgive our sins, and offer eternal life.

3 Practical Steps for Sharing the Real Christmas Story

Instead of assuming people know the true meaning of Christmas, take these steps to actively share the Gospel this season:

  1. Turn Decoration into Discussion: Use the symbols of Christmas as conversation starters. If someone compliments your Nativity, lights, or even a Christmas carol, share the story behind the symbol. You could say, "The Nativity is beautiful, but the best part is knowing why God sent His Son—to make a way for us to know Him." Take time with your family to point to a nativity and explain its meaning. 

  2. Offer the "Why" Behind the "Merry": When you wish someone "Merry Christmas," be ready to share the reason for your joy. The Christmas story is the ultimate love story. It shows that God loved us enough to come to Earth, live a perfect life, and ultimately die on the cross so that we might be restored, forgiven of our sins, and begin a relationship with Him.

  3. Invite and Explain: Many people are willing to attend a church service during the holidays. When you invite friends or family, don't stop there. Offer to sit with them and explain the significance of the sermon or the Scripture reading. Be prepared to gently explain that the purpose of Christ's birth was His eventual sacrifice, which secured eternal life for those who believe.


These are just a few ways you can put Christ back into Christmas. What are some ways you can think of to point others to the true meaning of the Christmas Season?
Location: Ashmore, IL 61912, USA

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