SIERRA VISTA — As he stood before his congregation last Sunday, the Rev. Tommy Simpson urged parishioners to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

“I told them that Christmas is about serving others, it’s about service above self,” said Simpson, senior pastor of the New Jerusalem Community Church of Sierra Vista. “While it’s important for Christians to live that focus every day, it’s especially highlighted at Christmas. Serving others is why Christ came to us. It’s God serving his people.”

Passionate in his belief that Christmas needs to be the centerpiece of every Christian’s life, Simpson’s message to his congregation is to keep Christ in Christmas throughout the year, not just during the holiday season.

“We need to remember that Christmas is real and relevant when we do things to make a difference. I remind my parishioners that we should always reach out and help those in need. I don’t care what denomination the person is, what the person’s background is, or what color the person’s skin is. As Christians, we are not here to judge, but to reach out and serve.”  

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A non-denominational church temporarily based out of Village Meadows Baptist Church, Simpson says New Jerusalem has formed alliances with other churches in the community, allowing a sharing of resources and support between Christians of different denominations.

“If you focus on the Word, you don’t focus on the denomination,” Simpson said. “I believe that it’s very important for churches to support each other. One example is that we recently partnered with Mountain View Assemblies of God in a Christmas production that told the story of the walk through Bethlehem.”

In a similar alliance, Simpson said New Jerusalem is planning to partner with Kino Chapel on Fort Huachuca for an Easter production.

“We are able to show the love of Christ by what we are doing,” the pastor said. “It’s important to remember that all Christians serve a common creator, regardless of denominations.”

The Rev. Frank O’Grady, who is the Catholic chaplain on Fort Huachuca, tells parishioners that Christmas — the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ as our savior — is a time when people realize their common humanity.

“It’s a time when we realize that God is very close and not distant, and that we are all created in the image of God. We realize that with the help of God, all problems can be solved peacefully.”

O’Grady believes that Christmas can bring out the best in people. And unfortunately, he added, it can bring out the worst in people.

“For some families, it’s a time when problems come to the fore,” O’Grady said. “Problems like drinking too much, eating too much and spending too much.” But when people embrace the true meaning of Christmas, it can be a time for meaningful new relationships and positive change, O’Grady said.

Pastor Jim Hurlburt of Village Meadows Baptist Church reminds his congregation of the story of Christ.

“Certainly when you look at our culture, the real significance of Christmas has been missed by some people,” Hurlburt said. “We have the carols and we have the story, but for some, the real meaning has been missed.”

As the church’s pastor of worship and music, he uses Christmas carols to make the connection between the songs and the story of Christ.

“When we talk about Christ being born of the virgin, that is literally what that means. I try to bring Christmas and Easter together as the bookends of Christ’s life, reminding our parishioners that Christ’s time on earth was his sacrifice for our sins.”

The essence of salvation, the pastor said, is that man sinned and will continue to sin. Sometimes people fail to understand the true meaning of salvation. What God means by salvation, is to be saved from eternity in hell.

“There is a difference between God and man, and sending Christ here to save us is God’s way of bridging that gap,” Hurlburt said. “The reason Christ came to us is to save mankind, which is exactly what we hear in the Christmas carols that we sing.”

Hurlburt wants his congregation to understand that Christ was sent to Earth in the form of man out of God’s love for mankind.

“In heaven, He had everything,” he said. “For His love and humility, He took the form of a man and was willing to be crucified on the cross. We remind the congregation that it was His love that brought Him to us and we literally owe Him our lives. For that, He should be honored and glorified.”

When children come to Hurlburt with questions about Christ, he said he’s often amazed by how much they understand.

“Even though we try to make things simple for the younger ones, I think people sometimes underestimate what children really do comprehend.”

Hurlburt uses real-life analogies to help children understand the story of Christ and why He died for mankind.

“Children understand what it is to be disciplined, so they understand the concept of punishment when mistakes are made,” the pastor said. “I tell them Christ came here to take our punishment for our mistakes so we could be saved.”

The true meaning of Christmas, Simpson, O’Grady and Hurlburt agree, is not about the commercialism and gift buying, but is a time to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ as the son of God and the ultimate sacrifice He made for mankind.

While they have nothing against the Christmas traditions and celebrations that have become part of our culture, they hope that the holiday’s true meaning does not become lost in the season’s festivities.

All three had this parting message. “Merry Christmas and God bless you.”

REPORTER Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.