Christmas: "why is it So?"

Many years ago the science program “Why is it so?” aired on ABC television. It’s American born host, Professor Julius Sumner Miller (1909-1987) made the show well known for "cool experiments, interesting science, and fantastic hair." And his constant question (and thus, the name of the show) as he performed all manner of experiments was “Why is it so?”

The challenge to ask why is it so, for both science and the world in general, was consistently before both the children and adults who watched the show.

As I was pondering the time of the year that we are rapidly approaching, that of Christmas or Advent, the question Why is it so? came to mind.

For example; why is it so that at this time of year we tend to spend an increasing amount of time, money and effort on purchasing the ‘perfect’ gifts for family and friends but live in a world that spends proportionately less and less time pondering the very reason we even celebrate Christmas.
Why is it so that many people will willingly and joyously attend numerous Christmas and break-up parties and yet give little, if any thought, to attending a church service to give thanks to the One for whom this time of year was first begun?

Why is it so that there will be over indulgence in purchasing gifts, eating, drinking and generally ‘making merry’ but little or no investment of time or effort into giving thanks the One who loved the world so much that He sent His only Son to seek and to save that which was lost?

Part of the answer lies in words penned by the Apostle Paul nearly two thousand years ago but which could have come out of today’s newspaper or a Gallup Poll. He wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3 that “In the last days … people will be lovers of self, lovers of money … without self-control … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God …” Interestingly, the message seems to be aimed at the church in that he finishes the section by saying “having the appearance of godliness but denying its power.” Why is it so?

This year, whilst still enjoying time with my family and the giving and receiving of gifts, I have challenged myself to take more time and make more effort in focusing on the person after whom the season derives its name, so that should anyone ask me the “Why is it so?” question about the reality of this CHRISTmas, I am ready to give an answer that will, in turn, help them to ‘see Jesus’.