There are lots of issues
worth getting upset about in our world.
Someone saying or sending a card that said "Happy Holidays"
just isn't one. How does that take
Christ out of Christmas? Jesus told us
to love one another. He said the servant
is not greater than his Lord. I don't
really think someone saying "Happy Holidays" offends him, but rather
what is in the heart. I believe saying
"Merry Christmas' without caring about others or about Jesus is probably
much more offensive.
I heard an argument for not celebrating
Christmas this morning on a Christian radio program. Really?
God made a pretty big deal of his son's birth. Yes, it was lowly; it was small town. But He created a special star just for the
event and it wasn't just a one or two night conjunction. It wasn't just seen for a few moments right
over the manger. Read it again. It
wasn't just a rare natural occurrence,
but God making a big deal of his only begotten son's birth. And the angel of the Lord didn't slip in and
talk quietly to a couple of shepherds.
The whole sky was full. I'd say
if anyone was paying attention it was quite a show. I don't think God is the least bit upset with
us remembering the birth of his son whether we got the day wrong or not. I think he is pleased that men still give
honor to Jesus even if it's only as a baby.
The message is there for those who can receive it.
What about commercialism? Do you understand that the extent you involve
yourself in that is a personal choice?
So stop getting mad about it. You
don’t have to have an excuse to make a good decision. You can give creatively without spending a
ton of money, if that is what you should do.
If it comes from the heart, it blesses the heart of God.
I spent a chunk of change on a kid I've never
met. I'm not blowing my horn and I want
no 'You are a good person' for it. I
loved doing it and I loved doing it in the name of Jesus. I will spend to bless family and friends as
well and I pray that it will honor God and not myself. But that is up to me. You see in the name of Jesus people are
blessed at Christmas more than any other time of year. The angels announced it long ago and without
us even thinking about it, it's still happening. Now you may say that its all about big
corporation marketing. I don’t deny
that. But the revenue generated blesses the
company which helps the worker in the long run.
Lots of things go haywire in our world. Lots of things get done for the wrong
motive. I don’t think you cut off your
arm because you have an infected finger.
You do what you can to heal it so you can live and use that arm.
Gift giving is a symbol of the gift given to
us. Freely you received; freely
give. I know that wasn’t spoken of
Christmas and that Christmas isn’t the only time we should give openly in
Jesus’ name. But it’s not offensive to
our Father who is in heaven for us to give gifts around this great event.
So with all the things that are crazy, with
all the attitudes that stink, with all the imbalance of blessing, this time of
year is a reminder of what the angels said centuries ago. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good
news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David 2:10
and 11
I believe
he is honored by our remembrance, by our love, and by our willingness to
give. We don’t have to be afraid. We are celebrating Good News, Great Joy and
universal blessing. God sent a Savior, a
King, a Messiah. We can celebrate that
without fear. “In Him all the nations of
the earth will be blessed.”
It’s my take on the conflict. Be blessed.
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