A Very Mayan Christmas?!

“The End is Near!” Well at least that is what the doom and gloom headlines are reporting as Friday, December 21, 2012 draws near. If you haven’t been paying attention to the latest media craze and the hype that has been building for a couple of years now, you maybe asking what is so significant about Friday?

According to some ancient Mayan calendar, the world will end on Friday, or at least that is one argument. Others simply agree that they ran out of space on the stone circle in which it is engraved. Regardless, they myth has been circulated, the movies have been made and many people are scared that the world will end on Friday.

I was talking to a young Christian teen that grew up in a Christian home and attended church all her life. She told me all her friends were getting “freaked out about Friday!” I asked her how she responded to her friends and she said “I don’t know, just I hope the world doesn’t end, because I want to celebrate Christmas.”

What is or response to the fears and speculations of our world? 1 Peter 3:15 says we need to always be ready with an answer of the hope that is in us! The fear of the end of the world presents a perfect opportunity for us to share with others the Hope we have in Jesus Christ. Its almost perfect that it falls on this time of year as we celebrate the First Coming of Jesus we can point others to His Second Coming!

In light of all the speculations, how should we respond? We need to remember that the Bible speaks clearly that a time will come when people will gravitate to such ridiculous stories (2 Timothy 4:2-4). We saw this with Y2K and Harold Camping. Jesus told us that we will have trials in this world but we shouldn’t be fearful because He has overcome (John 16:33; Matthew 28:18-20).

Though the Bible speaks about many things concerning the end times, two things are very clear. The first, is that Jesus is going to return for us (Acts 1:7). He will return to rescue His people, to set all things right and to make all things new! Secondly, no one knows the timing of His return except the Father (Mark 13:32). When people start speculating you can walk away with confidence knowing what the Word of God tells us. Don’t fall prey to the superstitions of the world, but run to the Scriptures and trust the Word of God.

Remember the message of Christmas, that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-3, 14). It is He who gave us His Word that we might have life (John 10:10) and this is the message that we want to share with the world. So in light of the Mayan Calendar scare, share the good news that Jesus Christ is coming again! It is this truth that should lead us to live a life that is obedient to His Word and draw others to Him (Matthew 5:16).

May you have a Merry Christmas!