Christmas is For Kids… Does Scripture Say This?

Everywhere during the Christmas season we hear that Christmas is for kids. In our secular society, Christmas revolves around kids. Santa comes and blesses them with surprises and there’s tons of family activities this time of year. But interestingly enough, Scripture doesn’t seem to say that Christmas is for kids at all. 

Instead, today in fact, Scripture reminds us that Christmas and the coming of a Savior is for the poor, brokenhearted, captives, the mourning, the unwanted, and those wrestling with chains (imprisonment, addiction, and whatever else). The Lord is coming to bring glad tidings, good news, announce a year of favor, and bring forth peace, justice, and wholeness to all who most need it right now.

If that’s true, are we spending our Christmas energy on the right things? Maybe there’s a call to reach out, serve, reflect on and look at how we’re bringing Christmas to the ones Jesus came to save. Sure, traditions are fun and memorable, but Christmas is more about that than entertaining our kids.

Or, perhaps you’re one of those people Scripture references today. Maybe there’s a brokenheartedness in you, an addiction you can’t break, a chain that you’re clinging to (like negative thinking or anxiety), or a grief and sadness you’re mourning. Maybe there’s a poverty, an economic struggle, or a lack or emptiness you’re struggling with. 

Today, I hope you hear the message of hope and glad tidings in today's first reading. Jesus comes for you this Christmas! Our Savior will make all things right in time and promises to save you, release you, feed you, and fill you. Whatever you need, Jesus can and will provide. That is the message of Christmas.

So maybe Christmas isn't about kids after all. Maybe it's about the struggling people in our midst.