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Is it possible to have Christmas without Christ? I believe that the answer to the question is "Yes!" and "No!" It is possible to celebrate this Festive Season without Celebrating Jesus Christ. Many people do it but if we really want to know the true Joy of Christmas, and experience "peace on earth and goodwill to men" that was announced that First Christmas night to shepherds in the Judean hills, then Christ must be part of our celebration. Truly "Jesus is the reason for the season." I wonder what it is like to really miss Christmas.

Years ago I preached a sermon to a small Western Canadian church congregation. The Sermon was called "They who missed Christmas." Today let's give consideration again to those who missed the First Christmas.

The Inn Keeper missed Christmas. He was too busy caring for the needs and desires of all his customers. Christmas, for him was all about: making a buck." He was much too busy to worry about the weary travelers he had no room in his inn for. (Although he did give them the use of the stable). He missed the joy and peace of Christmas because he was too busy. The cash register was ringing. He had customers that needed to be looked after. The inn keeper did not stop to worship the new born babe housed in his stable. He missed Christmas because he was too busy. The Christ child was so near by but he missed Christmas. He spent that first Christmas with out Christ.
The Inn Guests missed Christmas. They were too busy enjoying themselves, partaking of the comforts of the inn and the good food and drink that were so readily available to them. It was party time and they had no time for a new born baby in the stable. They missed Christmas because they were enjoying themselves. They spent the first Christmas without Christ because they were having a "good time."
King Herod missed Christmas because He was pouting and feeling sorry for himself. He was seeking power and feeling threaten by a new born baby. .He was too busy trying to hang on to his own power that he missed the birth of Christ .Truly for King Herod he spent that first Christmas without Christ and it was a very unhappy time for him.
The residents of Bethlehem. They were indifferent to all that was happening around them. They did not know that a great miracle was happening in their own backyard. They were indifferent and missed the message of that first Christmas. They had no time for Christ. They missed the first Christmas.

The Innkeeper; the inn guests; King Herod, and the village people were all among those who missed that first Christmas. How many are like them this Christmas? How many will miss the true meaning of Christmas this year because they are too busy chasing after the dollar, or some dream that leaves them little or no time for what is really important in life. How many will miss the real blessing of Christmas this year because they are too busy enjoying themselves; all caught up in partying until they drop? How many will miss Christmas this year because they are all wrapped up in themselves like King Herod? A package that is wrapped up in self is a very small package indeed. How many will miss Christmas this year because they are indifferent to it? They, like Ebenezer Scrooge of old will declare "Humbug! When it comes to this season. They grow weary with the whole idea of Christmas.

Christmas is a wondrous time of year. "Jesus is the reason for the season!" If we take Christ out of Christmas, we end up with "mas". , or could we say "a mess." If we take Christ out of Christmas we lose the reason for the season.

I pray this Christmas we will keep Christ in Christmas and not be among those who miss Christmas.

Learn more about this author, Ed Ostrom.
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