The document is a letter from a pastor reminding church members about the true meaning of Christmas amid the commercialization of the season. It encourages focusing on the birth of Jesus Christ and the message that he came to save people from their sins, rather than getting caught up in other holiday activities and stresses. The pastor questions whether members' concern for lost souls exceeds their focus on gifts, decorations, and parties, and urges keeping the message of Jesus as the priority during Christmas.

1. December 2014
Dear Fellow Servants,
It’s the Christmas season again, a busy time for both church and home. Some are stressing about company coming, while others have visions of sugar plums (and other goodies) dancing in their heads. There are stores to shop and presents to buy and parties to attend. Sadly, if we are not careful, we can let all the extracurricular fanfare of this holy season mask the season’s most important message, the birth of our Saviour.
It would seem that we have this struggle every year in North America. We are all in agreement that Christmas has grown so much more commercial over the years, but there is a danger of letting that fact leave us unchanged. So, allow me to state the obvious and encourage us to go back to the first Christmas to get our focus realigned. Consider the incredible message that Joseph received from the angel of the Lord, as recorded in
Matthew 1:21:
“She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name
Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
If you will notice, I have purposely drawn attention to the second line of this well-known verse of Scripture. Jesus came to save us from our sins!! What does that mean to you? How will it affect the way you make your plans this Christmas season (or will it)?
In the classic Veggie Tales children’s video, “The Toy That Saved Christmas”, there is a key lyric delivered by the lead character, Buzz-saw Louie. He says, “Grumpy kids, greedy dreams, this is not what Christmas means. I’m just a toy, I don’t claim to be a genius but there must be more to Christmas.” Ask yourself, “Will it really matter if I don’t get that perfect gift, or have the best tree on the block, or serve the finest Christmas dinner? Should I really be knocking myself out with all that shopping or baking or making it to every party? Surely there must be more to Christmas?
Go back and read that verse above again, paying special attention to the underlined portion. Now ask yourself, “Does my concern for the lost and dying exceed that of these other areas of the season? Has this message from the pages of the New Testament been as transformational for me as it was intended by my Saviour?” With all that we have (want?) to do this season, does getting this message out carry any priority for us? If so, what are we doing about that?
Let’s go ahead and enjoy this special time of the year with our family and friends, but let us also keep our focus on the main event. The modern proverb is indeed very true:
“Jesus IS the reason for the season!”
Your fellow servant,
Pastor Brian