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Barging in on Christmas
It was a cold December morning. Two women, their arms filled with bundles and their coat collars raised against the wintry wind, were walking past the window of a large store. In the window was a scene of the Nativity – the Christ Child in the manger, Mary and Joseph, the kneeling shepherds, and the cattle standing nearby.
“Can you beat that!” one of the women was overheard to say. “The churches are even barging in on Christmas!”
What irony – that the world should have drifted so far from the original significance of the Christmas season that the King of Kings should be accused of “barging in” on His own birthday party!
What the world needs today is more of such “barging in” on the part of the church. During these weeks let Christian people remember the message of the season: Fear not, for behold, {there is} good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
All people – including the millions of shoppers who are milling through the crowded aisles of stores these days – need to be told that unto them is born a Savior. They need nothing more than that the church should “barge in” on the toys and tinsel of the season. Will ours be just another Xmas – celebrated with the triple “X” of extravagance, excitement, and exhaustion? Or will it be a true Christian Christ-mas, celebrated in the company of Him whose birth these days commemorate?
It will be the latter in the measure in which we permit the Honored Guest of Christmas to occupy our hearts – at home, at church, at work, and at play.
Redeemer, come, I open wide
My heart to Thee; here Lord, abide!
– adapted from Herman Gockel
As we once again prepare for Christmas, may God give us His grace. We have been to Bethlehem and seen what has happened, that the Lord has made known to us. Now may we, with the shepherds, glorify and praise God for all we have seen and heard – just as it has been told.
In Christ’s service,
Pastor Jabs
