Do you have the feeling that Jesus is being left out of the Holiday season? Everywhere you look there are decorations of Christmas but Jesus isn’t in any of them. In our stores and on TV, Christmas is upfront and center making sure we buy, buy, buy. But have we lost the reason for the season? Do people even know why we celebrate Christmas anymore or is it just a gift giving, party season? How do we see Jesus in a secular world of celebration?

I heard a sermon not too long ago that reminded me that Jesus is indeed alive and well in all the festiveness of Christmas. If we look, we can see Jesus in places we thought he was long ago forgotten.

 Let’s start with our neighborhood decorations. When you’re driving through your neighborhood enjoying all the colorful lights, what do you see? Does it remind you of Jesus? What if we reflected on John 8:12, “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” Makes the lights a littler brighter don’t you think?

Now let’s look at your Christmas tree. How can we see Jesus in that? Acts 5:30 reminds us,” The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.” It’s a beautiful reminder that Jesus died for us.  And the star we proudly put on top? Matthew 2:1-2, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” You’ll look at Christmas trees in a whole new way after meditating on those two verses!

And all those Christmas gifts? How can we see Jesus in all the boxes and bows? Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, ”For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” The greatest gift of all is Jesus Himself and the gospel message! John 3:16,” For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  How can we not see Jesus as we exchange gifts this Christmas?

These are just a few examples of how Jesus is right before our eyes if we just look for him during the holidays. I challenge you to make a fun game of it and search the scriptures to find Jesus in Holiday items that are not thought of as Christian. And share your discoveries with others! This is the perfect season to talk about Jesus. Making a connection between a Christmas decoration and Jesus is an easy conversation starter. You never know, you may be the only Jesus someone sees this Holiday season!

 Let me know in the comments how you’re finding Jesus in unexpected places this Christmas season. God Bless!