We are at an interesting cultural moment as we prepare to celebrate yet another Christmas. While the traditions and trappings associated with the season seem to multiply every year, there are some who seldom utter the name of the One we celebrate: Christ. Too often, the word Christmas has taken a back seat to the more generic term holiday. In recent years, the once customary greeting of “Merry Christmas” has been amended to “Happy Holidays.”
What a contrast to our Biblical ancestors, who could not get enough of Christ. The Old Testament prophets anticipated Christ, while the New Testament apostles were ambassadors for Christ. Over time it was not only His birth that was celebrated but His exemplary life, death and resurrection. Without Christ, there would be no Christianity, no Church, no salvation, no hope of eternity. Even time itself came to be understood in reference to Christ, as B.C. and A.D. underscored His prominent place in history.
Simply stated, people of faith pointed to Christ. Consider, for example, the following: The title Christ occurs 69 times in I Corinthians — more than any other single book of the Bible. Romans comes next with 68 references, followed by II Corinthians with 49. Altogether, the name of Christ appears over 560 times across the New Testament, with no writer mentioning the name more than Paul.
Once a zealous Jewish Pharisee, Paul had an encounter with the resurrected Christ and then could not stop talking about Him. We, too, ought to talk about Christ more than we do. Perhaps we should do so especially at Christmas. I suspect the following three factors explain, in part, why we don’t:
- One can know about Christ but fail to truly know and be like Christ. There are bright people — many of them in our churches and educational institutions — who can converse intelligently about Christ and His teachings. Sadly, some of these same people show little evidence of having an intimate knowledge and relationship with Christ. Too few live like Christ; too few regularly operate as Christians. Paul was one of the most learned men of his day, yet he did not promote mere mental comprehension when it came to Christ. On the contrary, Paul wrote, “we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles … Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (I Corinthians 1:23–24). This power and wisdom of God are not gained through intellectual pursuits but through encountering and becoming like the crucified and risen Christ. Such teaching struck many people as foolishness; it still does. Yet our call is to know Him and live as He lived. That remains the standard for every Christian, at Christmas and beyond.
- One can mistakenly substitute the Church for Christ. There has been a centuries-old tendency among the faithful to substitute the Church, the bride of Christ, for Christ Himself. The shift is subtle yet idolatrous. Such people honor Jesus Christ with their lips, but their lives indicate He has lost His lofty position as “head of the church” (Ephesians 5:23). Allegiance to the Church — the institution, with its programs, activities and upkeep — has too often replaced allegiance to Christ. The former demands support; the latter demands submission. The one invites attendance; the other invites adoration. The one emphasizes ritual; the other emphasizes relationship. The one wants us to give something for the cause of ministry; the other wants us to give everything for the cause of the Master. Our call is to Christ alone. That’s true at Christmas and beyond.
- One can acknowledge the principles of Christ while missing the person of Christ. Throughout history, many have been impressed by the teaching and example of Christ. The same is true today. The principles He promoted — meekness, love, forgiveness, concern for the poor and other virtuous ethics — have become timeless and universal standards of conduct. The problem is the principles without the person are not enough. Christ did not come to urge people to endorse a petition or support a ballot measure; He came so that fallen humanity might develop a relationship with God incarnate. If we miss the person, we miss the point. Endorsing His principles without embracing His life and death is an affront to God and His purpose. Paul declared, “I want to know Christ” (Philippians 3:10), clearly pointing to the person. May that be our desire as well, this Christmas and beyond.
Christ came to a manger in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. And, yes, the world continues to celebrate that historical event and its impact at Christmas, as it should. But we err if, after Christmas, we are content to know about Him, substitute the Church and its activities for Him, or merely follow His principles. Make no mistake: The “good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10) is that Christ came to save us from sin and to establish a vital relationship with you and me.
Embracing that truth will change how we live … at Christmas and beyond.
Adapted from Kent R. Olney’s 2023 book, Sixty-Six (Wilmore, KY: Francis Asbury Press), chapter 46.
