After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”     Matthew 2:1-2 HCSB

The first Christmas was celebrated very differently than we celebrate Christmas today. Celebrating Christmas today is about so many things that have absolutely nothing to do with Christmas.

Parties where the alcohol is flowing and people become so intoxicated, they do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do have nothing to do with Christmas. The Bible has over 100 verses about drinking alcohol. Ephesians 5:18 says we are not to get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 20:1 says wine is a mocker and strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray is not wise. Galatians 5:21 tells us that those who envy, get intoxicated, and have orgies will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 23:29-35 describes what happens when one drinks. It brings about sorrows, conflicts, complaints, wounds for no reason and red eyes. It describes wine as sparkling and gleaming and going down smoothly. But then it speaks of the aftereffects of alcohol. In verses 32-35 it says alcohol bites like a snake and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things and you will say absurd things. You will be struck and feel no pain, you will be beaten and not know it and you will wake up looking for another drink.

We go into debt to buy Christmas presents. I’m amazed when I attend family gatherings at all the gifts that are presented. We all like to receive gifts. We also know it is better to give than to receive and so many of us like to go overboard with giving. The wise men brought three gifts. My cousin and I discussed this the other day. She was lamenting over not having enough gifts for her grandchildren. She said she admired those who only bought their children three gifts to be symbolic of the three gifts the wise men presented to baby Jesus.

The Bible also has plenty of verses dealing with going into debt. Proverbs 22:7 says the rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender. Romans 13:8 says to owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves one another has fulfilled the law. Somewhere along the line we began to equate love with extravagant spending.

The wisemen sought Jesus and travelled afar. What does this mean exactly? Well, bibleask.org answers this as being somewhere between 400-700 miles. This could have taken them anywhere from 2 weeks to 40 days depending on whether they were on foot or on camels and whether they only traveled at night when they could follow the star. We would be wise to seek Jesus all year long. They went out of their way to seek Jesus, do we? This would mean not making excuses for not getting off your sofa to drive a few miles to attend church on Sunday.

The shepherds were tending their flock when all these angels appeared and told them where to find baby Jesus. They didn’t wait until they could arrange substitute shepherds to tend to their sheep. They didn’t wait until they clocked out. They dropped everything and ran to find baby Jesus. Then they spread the good news to all those they encountered.

If you plan on celebrating Christmas this year, I strongly encourage you to celebrate as those in the Bible celebrated the very first Christmas. Why not make it your family’s tradition to celebrate as they did in the Bible? Seek Jesus all year long. Make Him your priority not only during the Christmas season, but all year long.

And don’t forget our most important assignment. We are to go out and spread the good news to others in hopes of bringing them to Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20 to go out and make disciples of all nations. Jesus instructed His disciples to baptize them and teach them all God has commanded.

My prayer for you today is you are celebrating Christmas as God intended. If you have gotten so caught up in the commercialization of Christmas, don’t worry. Just read through the first few chapters of Matthew or Luke and they will show you how the first Christmas was celebrated. Use this as your guide.

Have a great day!