Putting Christ Back In

This time of year you will often hear that we need to be “putting Christ back into Christmas.” Certainly, there is nothing wrong with families getting together and giving gifts on a particular day. However, we must note that the Bible never speaks of Christians celebrating the birth of Christ, nor is there a command to do so. In fact, no one knows the actual day that His birth occurred. We must not attempt to “put Christ in Christmas” where He does not belong. Nevertheless, the thought of “putting Christ back in” other areas is one sorely needed in our world today. Consider some places where we need to be “putting Christ back in.”

Putting Christ Back in the Home. It is painfully obvious that Christ has been put out of most homes. In many homes the only time Christ is allowed a place is during the Christmas season. How often do we hear of “broken homes”? The psalmist penned, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Ps. 127:1). Homes will continue to fall apart if the Lord is not the foundation upon which the family is built! Every member in the home has re­sponsibilities which the Lord has command­ed them to keep. We need husbands who will heed the commandment to “love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church” (Eph. 5:25), and wives who will “love their hus­bands” (Tit. 2:4). Parents need to get back to bringing their children “up in the train­ing and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Additionally, children are to “obey your par­ents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (Col. 3:20). Families would do well to be putting Christ back in their homes.

Putting Christ Back in Our Lives. Like the inn at Bethlehem, many simply have no room for Jesus (cf. Lk. 2:7). To be sure, some will make a little room for Him during this season. There are others who want Christ in their lives when they are facing hardships. However, few and far between are the souls who have Christ in their lives daily. For many, the price of truly having Jesus in their life is more than they are willing to pay. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23), and “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (Jn. 15:14). Many are simply unwilling to deny themselves that they might be His friend by keeping His commands. Yet, still the Lord says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Rev. 3:20-21). The Lord Jesus wants to be in your life! If you will but allow Him to abide with you, He will give you great reward. Will you let Christ in?

David Eldridge