The popular saying “Jesus is the reason for the season” is a Christian slogan used annually to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. It has compelled millions to refocus holiday observance onto foundational gospel messages.
But just where did this pithy, rhyming turn of phrase emerge from? The succinct verse has rather mysterious beginnings, with thought-provoking religious and cultural ties worth exploring.
The Saying Points to the Christian Meaning of Christmas
“Jesus is the reason for the season” attempts to assert the solely religious nature of the Advent and Christmastide holy seasons. Rather than fixating on more secular staples like Christmas trees, Santa Claus, reindeer, elves, and gift-giving, it spotlights Jesus Christ as the impetus behind commemorative traditions.
This simple phrase packs an important rhetorical punch for Christians wanting the holiday’s true meaning to shine through routines bent towards excessive commercialization or winter fun lacking spiritual grounding.
Jesus is the reason for the season -Connections to Biblical Scripture
While not pulled directly from one specific Bible verse, “Jesus is the reason for the season” strongly echoes Isaiah 9:6’s prophetic announcement of the Messiah:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
This foundational Scripture foretells Jesus’ holy arrival to redeem God’s people. Such verses remind believers that Christmas traditions exist solely to glorify Christ’s incarnation.
Isaiah’s Prophecy of Jesus’ Birth
Isaiah 9 speaks profoundly to events Christians celebrate at Christmastime – the prophesied birth of the Lord and Savior as a child ushering peace and transformation.
The saying takes this Holy text predicting God robed in flesh to reconnect December festivities back to Christ taking human form on the first Christmas night.
Emergence in the 19th Century Christian Revival
The pithy phrase likely first emerged among 19th century Protestant Christian revival movements seeking renewed focus on Jesus amidst holiday observances.
As Christmas evolved more secular trappings through the Victorian era, some wanted sacred memory of Christ’s nativity to define celebrations more than cultural add-ons possibly overshadowing the season’s meaning.
Using Christmas to Renew Focus on Christ
Such believers used the rhyming phrase on cards, gifts, sermons, and writings as a clarion reminder to recentre on Jesus during gatherings that increasingly fixated on parties, ornamental decor and folklore figures like Santa Claus.
The perfect rhyme gave the phrase natural memorability and shareability to influence families to caretake Christ as the holiday’s sole guest of honor.
Popularization in the 20th Century
By the early 20th century, American evangelists like Billy Sunday and Dwight Moody referenced “Jesus is the reason for the season” in campaigns mourning the secularization of Christmas and calling people back to the message of Christ.
But one influential figure would spread the saying further than any other during his public life dedicated to mass media evangelism.
Billy Graham and Mass Media Adoption
In the 1950s-1990s, Christian pastor and gospel preacher Billy Graham delivered sermons to millions globally proclaiming “Jesus is the reason for the season” through radio, television, public events and bestselling books leading up to Christmas.
Graham’s tireless media efforts ensured countless Christians and casual holiday observers heard the rhyming phrase for the first time through his mass evangelism outreach striving to amplify Christ above cultural nods.
Rapid Mainstream Christian Messaging
Billy Graham demonstrated dedicated mastery leveraging newspapers, magazines, movies, telegrams, phone-ins, and stadium gatherings to influence people for Christ. Through such immense exposure, “Jesus is the reason for the season” found its biggest platform ever to become ubiquitous American messaging.
Continued Use into the 21st Century
Even after Graham’s public ministry faded from view entering the 21st century before his 2018 passing, the catchy phrase continues to adorn church signs, social media posts, memes, bulletins and car bumpers each December.
Some churches even call annual winter outreach events “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” as both seasonal slogan and living invitation to return Christmas glory to the newborn King.
Keeping the Reason in the Season
For millions of modern believers, “Jesus is the reason for the season” remains a clarion call in the bustling final month of each year striving to lift God incarnate above the flood of Santa hats, reindeer antlers and yule tide carols threatening to eclipse the Light of the World’s luminous nativity.
In Summary
The saying “Jesus is the reason for the season” emerged among 19th century Christians wanting holiday observances to spotlight the Savior beyond cultural add-onspossibly clouding His glory.
It echoed Bible verses on Christ’s birth and implored focusing December around the miracle in Bethlehem changing humanity for eternity. Later carried worldwide through 20th century evangelists like Billy Graham, it is now a hallmark American Christian statement keeping Christmas anchored to Jesus.
frequently asked questions?
When did the saying “Jesus is the reason for the season” first appear?
The exact origins are unknown, but it emerged among Protestant Christian revival movements in the mid-late 19th century favoring emphasis on Christ during increasingly secularized holiday observances.
Does it connect closely to particular Bible verses?
Though not directly quoting scripture, it strongly echoes Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 9 predicting Jesus’ holy birth to redeem and save God’s people through grace.
Who helped popularize it in American culture?
20th century evangelists like Billy Sunday and Dwight Moody, followed massively by Billy Graham through his media preaching ministry, globalized this phrase through books, radio and televised sermons.
How is it still used by modern Christians today?
Believers continue using this saying on social media posts, church signage, outreach events and more to clarify Jesus as the sole focus of all Christmas season observation and celebration pointing towards God’s timeless love and redemption.
Does it help counter seasonal commercialization?
Yes – its continued use seeks to ground Christmas in Christ’s incarnation and lordship rather than excessive cultural add-ons possibly clouding the eternal significance of Jesus’ nativity erupting with light and life during first century Palestine under Roman rule.
