It was in the middle of the busy Christmas shopping season. A man was in court charged with parking in a restricted area. The judge asked him if he had anything to say in his defense.

“They shouldn’t put up such misleading notices,” said the man. “There was a sign. It said ‘FINE FOR PARKING HERE.’”

Well, I can see how he might be misled. I doubt that few of us would make that mistake. But misunderstandings do take place. For example, there is much about the Christian faith that people misunderstand. And there is much about Christmas.

For many people today, Christmas is simply another reason to party. It is an opportunity to decorate their homes, put up pretty lights and mistletoe, and to buy expensive gifts. And they think they’re celebrating Christmas. Yet they are blissfully ignorant …