In the soul-stirring original Christmas song, "Christmas Has A Name" contemporary artist Stars Go Dim sings about not losing sight of the true meaning of Christmas. This song is sure to convict you, reorient your perspective, and lead you into worship. Let's dive into a conversation on how to keep your heart focused on Jesus with all the festivities and busyness of the holiday season.
It's a baby in a manger, Emmanuel is here/Jesus, Savior, Son of God/Light of the world, most Holy One/Child of Heaven, born today/Come to take our sin away/Christmas has a name/Christmas has a name
Have fun, but don't get distracted It's not just the sound of busy streets and shopping malls/Green trees and stockings, silver bells and deck the halls/It's not just a season that comes once year/It's a baby in a manger, Emmanuel is here
I love that Stars Go Dim chose these lyrics to open "Christmas Has A Name." For a lot of us, it's what instantly comes to mind when we think of the Christmas season, especially since our culture has commercialized the holiday. Every year around Christmas time, the Christian community is filled with debates and opinions about whether the holiday traditions of mainstream culture distract believers from what Christmas is truly about. The songs about Rudolph and Frosty, the shopping deals and gift exchanges, the decorations and parties, you name it.
If you're not into those things because of personal preference, that's totally okay. But, if I can be honest with you, I think Christians get way more up in arms about those things than we need to be. I believe we can experience God's goodness and blessing in the midst of lighthearted fun, making memories, and spending time with the people we love.
However, Stars Go Dim's lyrics remind us of a very important point. While those Christmas traditions and activities are not bad or wrong for Christians to participate in, there's so much going on during the holiday season that it's easy to get distracted from the true meaning of Christmas if we're not careful.
I don't advocate shunning all things non-spiritual when it comes to celebrating Christmas. I'm unashamedly watching all the holiday baking shows and movies and blasting classic boy band Christmas albums in my apartment. But I do think God is inviting us to embrace intentionality in the Christmas season. So we can keep Jesus as the focus in our hearts, even as we enjoy all the other things.
Keep your heart focused on Jesus Angels fill the sky and shepherds run to see/This Messiah that will set his people free/The King of Heaven clothed in our humanity/This Baby in a manger will give His life for me
For believers, the Christmas season is about worshipful meditation on the birth of Jesus. We take time to remember and reflect on the truth that God, our creator, the King of heaven and earth, humbly took on human flesh and entered the world as our savior. We remember the biblical promises and prophecies fulfilled that a savior and King would come. And we look forward with anticipation to the day He will come again. We also joyfully praise Him that He has loved us, saved us from our sin, and made us friends of God, as stated in Romans 5:6-11.
How can you practically make space in your thoughts, your heart, your schedule, and your celebrations to focus on the true meaning of Christmas?
Here a few ideas. Every December, once a day, I read one chapter of Luke and one chapter of Revelation as an Advent reading plan. I also love to read the Christmas story in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 on Christmas Eve. You could find an Advent reading plan on The Bible app. Those are some fun ways to dig into God's Word.
You might take time to sing Christmas hymns and songs with family or friends and worship together in your home or attend Christmas services with your church family. You might share the hope of Jesus through evangelism or service projects.
Final Thoughts Hallelujah, Hallelujah, let our hearts join Heaven's song/Hallelujah, Hallelujah, the Lord our God has finally come
This Christmas, let's remember to worship the name of Jesus. He is our King and savior, our God with us. He's the reason we celebrate, and He's so deserving of our adoration and attention.
Find "Christmas Has A Name" on Stars Go Dim's Christmas EP, The First Noel. Buy it on Apple Music or listen on Spotify. Read the full lyrics of "Christmas Has A Name" here.
NRT contributor Jasmin Patterson is a lifelong fan of Christian music who is passionate about helping others connect with Christ. She lives in Kansas City where she serves in college ministry and runs a blog to help seekers and believers discover and live biblical Christianity.
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