This past Thursday, July 24th, Positive Life Radio played Christmas music all day and had representatives at various businesses to collect what turned out to be thousands of pounds of food along with many financial donations to contribute to local food banks. The concept of “Christmas in July” is thought to have originated in 1933 at Keystone Camp in Brevard, NC where a summer camp for girls organized a Christmas-themed event to break up the summer routine. The concept was further popularized by the 1940 film “Christmas In July.” 

     What a great idea to be reminded that the Gift that God gave “keeps on giving” and never expires. John, in his gospel, wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:1,14). Christmas isn’t just about December 25th, it’s about the miracle that God (in the Second Person of the Trinity) came down to dwell among us–a reality that affects every single day of the year–even in July!

     You see, Jesus didn’t stay in the manger. Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem as God took on human form (Heb. 2:14,15). But He didn’t stay a baby. He grew up, lived a perfect life, then died for our sins and rose again. The wonderful story of Christmas is just the beginning of the rescue mission that is still going on. “The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which is lost” (Lk. 19:10), and He is still doing so. We “box up” and “put away” Christmas with its trees, decorations, songs and programs, but the real meaning--“God with us” (Immanuel…Isa. 7:14. Mt. 1:23)–is for every day of the year!

     Jesus is truly the “Gift that keeps on giving.” “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro. 6:23). Most gifts get old, wear out, or go out of style, but God’s gift never does. It’s the gift that continues to meet our most basic need–forgiveness of sin–and transforms our lives. And God’s gift–Jesus–is still available, still changing lives.

     Giving is always “in season.” Christmas is a time of generosity and giving, but Jesus calls us to live that way all the time. Paul’s challenge to the Ephesians (and us) reads: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us…” (Eph. 5:1,2a). Love is expressed in “giving” (cf Jn. 3:16), and that is always needed and in style!  Jesus’ love is not “seasonal” but eternal (Jer. 31:3). We are invited to celebrate and share God’s gift of love every day.

     And, the world still needs Jesus, the true light that came into the world, to dispel our spiritual darkness (Jn. 1:4-9; 8:12). “For God who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness’ (Gen. 1:3), is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (II Cor. 4:6). The long hours of daylight in July will give way to the short days and long nights of fall and winter, but the “True Light” is always with us and never fades. We can be that light year around. Jesus said to His followers: “You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:14,16).  As we do that, we “keep Christ in Christmas” all year long. 

     In C.S. Lewis’ classic, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, it was “always winter, but never Christmas.” The enchanted land of Narnia was under the rule of the wicked White Witch who kept Narnia in a perpetual state of winter, yet she banned Christmas (a time of joy, celebration and hope).  Even though Satan is the “ruler of this world” (Jn. 12:31), he is limited in his power and authority by Almighty God who is ultimately in control and makes it Christmas year around!  His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is available everywhere anytime so that “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Ro. 10:13).  Merry Christmas!

Forever His,

Pastor Dave