Christmas traditions

By Jim Killebrew

[December 26, 2013]  Christmas for a lot of people is a time of traditions: something that was started by some family member, perhaps generations past, and carried through the years by family as a remembrance of special times. Perhaps by decorating a tree, hanging stockings, baking special foods or giving special, symbolic gifts. Or it could be a family heirloom that is handed down from one generation to the next and displayed only at Christmastime.

More than a tradition, the reality of the first Christmas was, of course, the birth of a baby, a very special baby: Jesus. There was a gathering of people who were told of the birth, and later a visit from important men from the Eastern part of the world who presented gifts. But I’m wondering if it was not the beginning of a tradition that is the grandest tradition of all: the tradition of God presenting to His creation the gift of what we all hold so dear ... freedom!

Since Adam and Eve in the garden, we had been slaves to one whose lie was believed, which led us to a pathway away from a face-to-face relationship with our Creator. From within that bondage to sin, we had picked up the heavy burden of guilt, worry, violence, hatred and a continued practice of disobedience to God the Father. Freedom had slipped away, and we became bondservants to the dark side.

But that first Christmas brought freedom: God had promised freedom even from the garden, moments after mankind started down the wrong pathway. And on the very first Christmas morning, God delivered that freedom, laid it in a manger and invited the whole world to come see.

As the late Paul Harvey might have said: “Now you know the rest of the story.” That baby grew to manhood, was completely obedient to God’s will, gave Himself as a ransom for all of us who believe and set us free from sin and guilt. The Bible says that He has set us free, and because of Him we are free indeed.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) "...and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) "For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2)

Have a Merry Christmas, and cherish your gift of freedom to celebrate this year and forever.

[By JIM KILLEBREW]