HAPPY BIRTHDAY AT CHRISTMAS!

¡Feliz Cumpleaños a La Navidad!

by Mary Hunt Webb

Posted Saturday, November 29, 2014

A photographic image of a baby in Christmas finery.

Christmas began with the birth of a baby. [Photographer: Melissa Madison Moreno. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]

Were you born around Christmas? I'm sure your family thought you were the best Christmas gift they could have ever received.

Of course, none of us can choose our birthdays. Some people think that having a birthday around Christmas is a difficult time. They may have had a birthday overlooked in the excitement of Christmas. However, a friend named Marcia once told me she felt it was an honor to have been born about the same time of year as Jesus.

No one knows for sure when Jesus was born. That means that anyone with a birthday in December or even into the middle of January could be sharing a birthday with Him.

A photographic image of a shopper in a fur coat.

The gifts that occupied the time and attention of shoppers in the past are no longer around. [Photographer: Unknown. Photo courtesy of the Des Moines Register.]

Although many people feel that Christmas has turned too commercial with an emphasis on shopping and buying gifts, it is up to each of us to remember that the real reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We can put the focus on Him by sending Christmas cards with a Christian message. Even people that I was not certain were Christians have said that they liked my faith-based Christmas cards. We can read the story of the birth of Jesus to our children and grandchildren. We can encourage them to participate in Christmas programs that tell about Jesus being born.

A photographic image of church-based 						Christmas program.

Participation in Christmas programs help youngsters to understand the meaning of Christmas. [Photographer: Mary Hunt Webb*.]

We can also sing and play Christian Christmas carols that emphasize the birth of Jesus. I was alarmed a few years ago to realize that my own grandchild had never heard any of the Christian Christmas carols. I began to sing them to him and play them for him on the piano. Soon, he was singing them with me so that they became his favorites.

Another step that we can take is to limit the decorations that feature Santa Claus because he is not the reason for Christmas. Jesus is.

Those are small steps, I know, but it is important to remember that Christmas started with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. It was so important that the prophet Isaiah foretold it in Isaiah 9:6, "For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (New King James Version)

It was so important that God sent an angel to announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds in nearby fields. We read in Luke 2:11-14 that the angel told them, "'11) For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12) And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.' 13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'" (New King James Version)

That event is no less important today. That is why we honor Jesus Christ each year with a celebration of His birthday. It's not about buying presents. It's about Him. Let's keep Christ in Christmas.

And, to all of you that are celebrating birthdays around Christmas, Happy Birthday!

A photographic image of candles on a birthday cake.

Happy Birthday, Christmas Baby! [Photographer: Jonathan Harris. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]

BIBLE VERSES FOR THIS POSTING

Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (New King James Version)

Isaías 9:6 - Porque un niño nos es nacido, hijo nos es dado, y el principado sobre su hombro; y se llamará su nombre Admirable, Consejero, Dios Fuerte, Padre Eterno, Príncipe de Paz. (Reina-Valera 1960)

Luke 2:11-14 — 11) "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12) And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (New King James Version)

Lucas 2:11-14 11) que os ha nacido hoy, en la ciudad de David, un Salvador, que es CRISTO el Señor. 12) Esto os servirá de señal: Hallaréis al niño envuelto en pañales, acostado en un pesebre. 13) Y repentinamente apareció con el ángel una multitud de las huestes celestiales, que alababan a Dios, y decían: 14) ¡Gloria a Dios en las alturas, Y en la tierra paz, buena voluntad para con los hombres! (Reina-Valera 1960)

A photographic image of a Nativity scene.

Jesus is the reason for the season. [Photographer: Morris Webb, Jr*.]

* Please do not use our original photos without our permission. These include photos by Mary Hunt Webb, Morris Webb, Jr., Morris Webb, Sr., and C.B. Hunt. Thank you.

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