In the past few years, Christians have been emboldened to “take back Christmas” by saying, “Merry Christmas!” whenever they can, especially when greeted with “Happy Holidays!” While I’m not a big fan of being confrontational in the “name” of Christ, I am thrilled that more Christians want to be identified openly with Jesus.
In Ephesians 3:15, Paul tells us that God’s family derives its name from him. So, when we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth, how much more special it is for the people wearing Christ’s name to honor Jesus on the day bearing his name. Surely our growing relationship with God, through Jesus, is the source of our desire to proclaim Jesus’ name more openly.
That was Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:16-21. Consider what he wrote: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus within our own families and as God’s family, let us remember the amazing expense of God’s gift to us. Let us grow closer to God through Jesus’ loving sacrifice. Let us grow in God’s strength and, with his power, proclaim to the world the name we share, giving all the glory to God.