The following is a responsive reading I have designed to assist my family in remembering the true meaning of Christmas. This will be read responsively Christmas morning after a devotional and before a hymn and gift opening.
What is it that you and your family do to commemorate the Ultimate Gift given on Christmas so long ago? Please, if you like the idea of this reading, feel free to adapt the text as you deem fit for your family and offer any suggestions for further revision on my part. Scripture references will come with the next edition.
Why do we celebrate Christmas?
We celebrate Christmas as a specific day set aside for the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Godhead, and the only hope for the salvation of men. Being the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ concealed his deity and became man, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person, forever.[*]
Why was Jesus Christ born?
Jesus Christ was born in human form as it was the eternal plan of God the Father, the first person of the Godhead, for the purpose of redeeming God’s people and the fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy.
How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
Christ, the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and was born of her, yet without sin.*
From what are God’s people in need of being redeemed?
God’s people are in need of being redeemed from the sinful nature inherent in all mankind since the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden.
To what extent does this sinful nature affect mankind?
The extent of this sinful nature affects all mankind in every facet, entirely, and in totality. It is because of this sinful nature that mankind is said to be spiritually dead, hence in need of redemption and spiritual life.
How does all this relate to Christmas?
Christmas, as a specific day set aside to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, is a celebration of the beginning of the climax of God’s plan for the redemption of His people. It was the birth of Christ that brought the Old Testament prophecy into realization for man to recognize and find hope in the fulfillment of God’s Word.
By what means are we brought into this redemptive plan and counted as one of God’s people?
The means by which we are brought into this redemptive plan is the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a gift decreed by God the Father, delivered by the Holy Spirit, and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Why do we give gifts on Christmas?
We give gifts on Christmas as a remembrance of the gift of salvation given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Why do we accept gifts on Christmas?
We accept gifts on Christmas as a remembrance of the work of redemption the Holy Spirit worked in our life that brought us to the point we were able to accept the gift of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Why do we wrap the gifts we give to others on Christmas?
We wrap the gifts we give to others as a reflection of the way God chose to conceal the second person of the eternal Godhead in human form and give Him as a gift to His people.
In what manner should we receive the gifts given to us on Christmas?
The manner in which we ought to receive the gifts given to us on Christmas is a manner of humility and gratefulness. Just as we are not worthy in ourselves to receive the gift of Christ and the true reception of the gift of Christ provokes an attitude of humble gratefulness, we ought to be humbly grateful to receive the gifts given to us by others.
[*] These two questions and answers have been adapted from A Baptist Catechism adapted by John Piper, non-copyright. http://www.desiringgod.org/AboutUs/OurDistinctives/ABaptistCatechism/
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