Oh, the Christmas memories! In the 60s and 70s when I was young, my dad and his five siblings would all gather at their mother’s house on Christmas day. It was such a highlight for me to see cousins who lived far away and to enjoy the festivity, a huge meal, and countless gifts.
When my grandmother died, Christmas day changed. In the 80s and early 90s, the Christmas day gathering was centered on our immediate family. My four siblings and I enjoyed wonderful times together. Add to the mix new nephews and nieces in a growing tribe which quickly filled our old farmhouse.
Things changed again when we took our family to Australia in 1996. The Christmas family gathering diminished to just our immediate family–five of us. Then, in the first decade of the new century, we watched as our three kids left the household one by one. Christmas progressively became less of a family event.
This year, having just moved halfway around the world, we have neither family nor long-term friends with which to celebrate Christmas. Potentially, this will be a sad and lonely time–especially compared to Christmases past. Ironically, being isolated from the busyness of dinner preparations, gift-opening, and commercialised holiday clatter, we are in a unique place where God can speak to our hearts about the true meaning of this holiday. He has our undivided attention.
God is reminding us that, no matter how meaningful and fun those Christmas gatherings were in the past, the reason for the season is all about the mission of Jesus. He came to bring peace on earth by seeking and saving people from the stormy waters of sin. He came to make disciples–12 men through whom the good news would flow to the nations.
In His high-priestly prayer of John 17 He declared, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do” (John 17.4, ESV). Yes, even before the cross, Jesus had completed His work–the work of preparing the men who would “go and make disciples…teaching them to obey.” This was His plan and His method for reaching the world.
True, Christmas is about giving and about family, so we must ask ourselves some important questions:
- In the next 12 months, to whom will you be giving the gospel?
- In whom will you be investing as disciple trainers?
- Who will become part of the family of God as your influence spreads from spiritual generation to generation?
Christmas celebrates the coming of Jesus, but let’s not leave Him in the manger while we run off to open our presents. Instead, let’s get about the Master’s business. Making disciples is His chosen plan. It is our commission and our privilege to carry out that plan. It is a plan that yields results that matter to God.
Making disciples is the gift that keeps on giving.
