“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:40-42
In Luke 2, we read about how Joseph and Mary lost Jesus when he was 12 years old while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Passover. The Passover was a religious celebration, just like Christmas. And yet Jesus’s own parents lost Him in the midst of the celebration.
Is it possible to lose Christ in Christmas? In the midst of a celebration of Christ’s birth, is it possible to forget Him? Sometimes, the people who are least likely to lose Jesus lose Him. Some of God’s chosen servants lost fellowship with God. David, Moses, Samson, and Peter all went through seasons where they lost touch with God. It doesn’t matter how long you have been a Christian; you can stray away.
1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Mary and Joseph lost Jesus right in the middle of a religious ceremony at the temple. You can come to church and sing all the Christmas carols and go through all the motions of Christmas, but still be very distant from Him. Parties, gifts, and family time are all great, but if we are not careful, we can put all the focus on those things while ignoring the very reason for the holiday. Don’t allow the celebration of Christmas to take you from the Christ of Christmas.
Notice that Mary and Joseph lost Jesus because they presumed He was with them. But just because you are partaking in a religious celebration does not mean you are personally close to Jesus. Be careful not to become cold and indifferent to Christ in the middle of all the Christmas hype. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me…See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Take inventory of your life in this season, and don’t lose Christ this Christmas.
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