Imagine the best news ever was just announced; a cure for cancer was found, peace is reached in the Middle East, world hunger was solved.  There would be dancing in the streets!  Imagine a joy that was indestructible, not connected to a fleeting moment.

This is Christmas!

A clip addressing family holiday preperations from John Piper focuses on the message of the Angel who appeared to the shepherds.  “Good News and Great Joy”.  This embodies the message of Christmas.  @DesiringGod tweeted Piper in powerful statement, “If being Jesus-focused is a killjoy for  Christmas, you don’t know him.”

The truth about Christmas is that it is the greatest news and greatest joy that has ever come to humanity!  It cannot be overstated.  Any substitute for this message is a dim shadow of the truth in this holiday.

Just as I am trying with my family, I challenge your family to focus on Christmas in its truest sense this year.

• Try to show your family that Christianity is news.
• Carve out regular times for special activities.
• Outdo the mythologies of the world by showing that Jesus is 10,000 times more generous and joyful than Santa Claus.