Merr y Christmas or Happy Holidays if you are angry. Maybe it’s vice versa. I’m not sure anymore. Either way we are all celebrating the birth of Jesus regardless of how we feel about Jesus. I hope that makes sense.
We just came back from a road trip and every town with just a blinking light was full of some kind of decorations. Things hanging from streetlamps, houses with blow up snow globes, nativity scenes and reindeer. I say, “Glory to God” for all of them because it all says, “Welcome Jesus! We are celebrating you!” Ken, really, Santa Claus too? You bet!
When we bought Buck Henry’s old house it had one of those five foot tall plastic, vintage type Santa Claus figures complete with a 60 watt light bulb that lights up hidden away in the attic.. When I put him out and light him up, every evening when I come home, he greets me and in essence is saying, “Kenny, it’s Christmas. And Christmas is all about Jesus.”
But Pastor, we have screwed Christmas up and we have made it about family and giving to ourselves and overeating. Here’s what I would say to that, “You are right but listen, it’s Christmas, lighten up. Enjoy it.” And by not enjoying it you let Scrooge, the Grinch and our adversary the devil steal it and we can’t let that happen, can we?
I would also say, who do you think created the family? Who do you think put in us the spirit of generosity and giving? And table fellowship - enjoying a meal together is a Godthing, so Merry Christmas and hallelujah! All of these things have a beginning that goes back to God, so be glad.
I know we overspend, and stewardship matters but, please forgive me for saying this, God the Father way overspent on me when He gave me that baby lying in a manger. I don’t know what American Express is charging for interest rate right now but whatever it is I am grateful, and I think it was worth it to save me from the guilt of sin. What price can we put on new birth, new life being a new creation and being free!
Ken, you don’t know my family. They are a bunch of sinners who drink too much and act a fool. Okay, I get it. Think about how kind it is of the Lord to provide you with a mission field on Christmas Day. Remind these folks what you are celebrating, whose birthday it is and ask them if they know Jesus. Love these people. God put them in your path so take advantage of it.
The holidays, as you know if you read this column on a regular basis, can be stressful and just no fun. At least that’s my experience. I can be Scrooge like, “Humbug!” Can we just skip October (Halloween), November (Thanksgiving), December (Obvious) and January (New Year)? This would eliminate a lot of anxiety, save on the budget and the waistline? The answer to this is no. God is a sovereign King and these months and what they represent has been filtered through His hands and the truth is we have to deal with it. Dealing with it means be faithful, be obedient and be okay when it’s not okay.
Every ugly Christmas sweater, every bad office party, all of these things say the same thing, “Happy Birthday Jesus.”
There you go, Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. Go into the New Year by resolving to be less angry and more content. Be for some stuff rather than being against things. You know how you always feel the need to point out what is wrong (remember, if you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room). I’m praying for you, I really am.
He told me to tell you that.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.