‘Tis the season for belief. As we wander through the aisles of the big-box stores and specialty shops, we’ll see other shoppers wearing shirts or sweaters proclaiming, “I believe!” As we browse the internet looking for sales on the gifts we want to give to our friends and loved ones, we’ll find all kinds of products announcing, “I believe!” Believe in what? OK, there’s a lot of stuff out there – like, WAY out there – that announces a belief in Bigfoot, aliens, or the Loch Ness monster, but most of the items we will see this season indicate a belief in Santa.
At one level, it’s simply a seasonal thing. Every year, the modern world drags out the classic themes and icons of a mostly secular celebration of Christmas. With all the stress and worries of life in this world, a lot of people want to be distracted or encouraged by the positivity and whimsy of the images, stories, and portrayals of Santa, elves, toys, and gift-giving in general. At a deeper level, a sweatshirt emblazoned with the words “I believe!” is an appeal to the childlike innocence of the thought, a statement of hope that they will not be defeated by the negative things going on in their life or in the world. Do they truly believe in a magical being whose elfin workers make toys all year that he delivers to all the good children of the world in a 24-hour period? Probably not, but who am I to judge?
On the other hand, there are quite a few folks who will proclaim “I believe!” this time of year as a statement of believing in Jesus because he is the “reason for the season,” as their other Christmas garb likely says. Do they truly believe that God loved the world so much that he sent his Son, born of a virgin, laid in a manger in Bethlehem, and worshiped by angels, shepherds, and wise men? Hopefully, but again, who am I to judge?
What I will do, as I do each year, is to encourage every believer to take advantage of the seasonal focus on Christ and proclaim their belief in him. Honestly, I don’t care specifically whether Christians proclaim it with a shirt, a bumper sticker, or illuminated yard art; I just want us to make the most of this seasonal opportunity because, as Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:16, “the days are evil.” However, I also want us to proclaim belief in Christ out of true faith in Christ and not just as an appropriate nod to the season. While it is true that Jesus is the reason for the season, this isn’t a matter of establishing the right mascot, Jesus vs. Santa.
While John’s gospel account of Jesus’ life and ministry doesn’t include an account of Jesus’ birth like the ones we read this time of year from Matthew and Luke, it does emphasize his coming and its significance. John wrote, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:4). That’s the reason for the season we celebrate, that Jesus came bringing life and light to the world. However, while that is the truth about Jesus’ coming, its significance prompts a response. It’s not enough to know the facts, to believe that Jesus was born and lived and died. Jesus calls everyone to believe in him so that they might receive the new life he brought. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The opportunity presented by the celebration of Christmas is not a matter of expressing what we believe about Jesus but that we truly believe in him. Is it necessary that we print our belief on our clothing? No, but it is necessary to proclaim our faith in Christ. Paul tells us that this is a matter of salvation, writing, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). And as much as that is part of God’s plan of salvation for each of us, proclaiming the Good News of new life through Jesus and our faith in him is a matter of salvation for others. So, take advantage of the season, proclaiming with bold faith, “I believe in Christ!”