Christmas in July

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

There was a time the phrase “Christmas in July” perturbed me because of the commercial marketing involved but not any longer. Then I learned the first Christmas in July was celebrated July 24^th and 25^th in 1933 at a girls’ camp in North Carolina and not for marketing purposes. So, why would the phrase no longer disturb me? Is there still advertising? Yes. Does it still promote Christmas movies? Yes. Does it still encourage early Christmas shopping with super deals offered? Yes. Although Christmas in July has all the wrong reasons for celebration, for us who rejoice in the season rightly, the middle of the year is a great time to refocus on Jesus’ long-awaited birth, especially since we don’t know the month or day of His coming.

Why wait until December to concentrate on Christ’s birthday? Had it not been for our Lord’s birth, there would not have been His death and resurrection, or forgiveness of our sins, our hope of salvation. Praise God for His great love and mercy in sending Jesus. Placing our faith in Him, we are adopted into His family and have the promise of eternal life with our Father. Now, that’s something to celebrate year-round!