There is one very powerful, influential figure whose name is rarely mentioned in many circles this time of year — and that is the devil or Satan.
Eminently successful throughout the year in his efforts to turn the hearts of people away from God, one may wonder where he spends Christmas. At first glance it would seem to be a terrible time of year for him. For each time Satan looks into the manger or hears the Christmas story or a carol proclaiming the infant Savior, he must cringe. When he considers how “big” Christmas has become, there seems little he can do except to retreat into spiritual hibernation until it all blows over.
WRONG! If there is one thing Satan is master of, it is turning an apparently hopeless situation to his advantage. And that is precisely his Christmas strategy. Buoyed by polls indicating fewer Americans than ever even believe he exists, he is more than happy to remain out of the spotlight at Christmas — so long as our Christmas celebrations miss the mark!
He is happy to see the beautiful Christmas carols secularized, to hear the Christmas story praised as simply a beautiful story. He delights in seeing Christmas commercialized, in seeing people kept busy with all the trimmings of Christmas. He doesn’t even mind seeing people being kind to one another, or calling for domestic or world peace, or even going to church or being spiritual — as long as it is only a seasonal ritual, as long as people miss the real meaning of Christmas: why God sent His Son to this earth.
Christmas is a wonderful season, but also one of the devil’s busiest. Have a blessed and happy Christmas — but don’t forget that the “enemy” has not retreated or let down his guard. Rejoice in the coming of the Christchild and the gift of salvation He brings to you and all mankind.
Make this the focal point of all your Christmas activities. For while you will then bring joy to your Father in heaven, you will bring sorrow and remorse to the one and only person you wish to have a truly miserable Christmas.
Have a wretched and unhappy Christmas, Satan.
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:8).
“Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Heb. 2:14-15).
–Pastor David Schierenbeck