Every year it seems that Christmas becomes more and more commercialized.  Even in the nations where the majority of people call themselves “Christian,” the season has become more about shopping than worshipping.  The pressure to buy gifts and plan elaborate parties makes it more and more difficult to stay focused on the real meaning of the holiday, which is the birth of Jesus, God’s only Son, the Savior of the world.

Even though this year is going to be different and probably quieter, people still want to celebrate Christmas…whatever that may mean to them.  So, they’re decorating their houses and buying gifts – mostly online these days, – and sending cards and decorating Christmas trees.  It’s still easy to lose the real meaning of Christmas.

But it always surprising, (and it surprised me this year again) when I hear the gospel message coming from unusual places – grocery stores, Walmart, Best Buy, and yes, from some of the outdoor decorations on people’s lawns.

When I hear “Joy to the Word! The Lord is come; let earth receive her King!” being played from the large store speaker systems or from speakers on the lawn of our neighbors, (who are from a different culture and different religion), only decorated with Santa Clause, and reindeer and snow men, I think of the words that Jesus said to the Pharisees who told Him to silence the crowds who were praising Him.  “If they kept silent,” Jesus said, “the stones themselves will cry out!”  Luke 19:40.

Isn’t interesting that at Christmas we hear “stones cry out.”  Even people spiritually dead sing carols written by Christians long dead, reminding us that no matter how hard people try to squash the real message of Christmas, they will never succeed.

Despite the commercialism that threatens to dilute the message of Christ’s birth, or despite the fact there are some government officials who want to cancel Christmas this year, God will make His Good News known “as far as the curse is found.”