In the December 2018 issue of The Lutheran Witness, an official publication of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, a title of one of the articles really grabbed my attention: “When Jesus Ruins Christmas.” It begins, “Up against the glorious reality of Christ’s incarnation, a ‘holly jolly Christmas’ loses all it’s luster.” He continues, “The theology of the incarnation (Jesus taking on flesh and blood) has ruined Christmas for me. It sounds weird, right? Jesus is the “reason for the season” so how could any discussion that involves Him ruin Christmas?”

As I mentioned, the title really caught my attention so I had to read on. Actually, I suspect that was exactly what the author hoped the title would do. In his article he then explains the awe and wonder of the miracle of the baby Jesus being true God and true man who came into the world to pay the price for the sins of mankind – to shed His blood and die on the cross. When you remember that the little baby in the manger was the Lamb of God who would be sacrificed on the cross, it may diminish the joy of candy canes, Christmas cookies and jolly old St. Nick. On the other hand, as he concludes, hopefully it deepens the celebration of the gift of the Immanuel and all that His death and resurrection mean for us. Three days after Jesus died on the cross, He arose victoriously over the grave, death and the devil. He ransomed all sinful mankind and gave the greatest Christmas gift ever in the forgiveness of sins and eternal life! The greatest gift under the tree is the One who was nailed to the tree. Jesus doesn’t ruin Christmas. Jesus resurrects Christmas!

God bless all of you with a jolly and joyous celebration of “the Word that became flesh!” May every day in the new year, and all your years, be marked by the hope of salvation in Jesus’ resurrection!

~ Pastor Dennis Krueger