'Tis the season of spiritual pressure. It's bad enough that society forces us to have a holly jolly Christmas, but it is even worse when the church does that. Beware!
It is true that the Old Testament saints participated in festivals that were spiritual highlights. But we live under a new and better covenant (Hebrews 8). Col. 2:16 and 17 tells us, "Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ."
Because we are in Christ, EVERY DAY is a festival. EVERY DAY we rejoice. What exactly does that look like? Bottom line? It's up to you.
The Christian walk should not be a desert until you get to the next holiday oasis. Instead, as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, every day should be Gospel centered. We no longer have pictures of salvation, we have the real thing, Jesus.
If you have a knock out Christmas, great. If you don't, do not fret or get the holiday blues. The world and the contemporary church can heap on the pressure to make sure that Dec.25 is a spiritual humdinger. If it turns out that way for you, praise God. If it doesn't, praise God.
And if you are spiritually parched, don't wait for Easter to get watered. Instead, preach the Gospel to yourself daily and partake of the spiritual food that God has prepared for: Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, Lord's supper. This is one banquet you can feast on every day and never have to worry about gaining weight.
Merry Christmas. Or not.
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