A Cozy Christmas?

What are your family traditions for Christmas?

As long as I can remember, it has been a Horner tradition to get up early and read through Luke 2 to candle light. As a kid, my brother and I would wake up first, light all the candles, plug in the Christmas lights and then wake up the rest of the family. I wish I could say that our eager anticipation was for the reading the Bible, but, in all transparency it was the huge pile of presents under the tree. But my faithful parents tradition of placing the Story before the gift giving has produced a harvest in our family.

Today my siblings led their young ones in the reading of Luke 2, passing on the story of our faith. It is such a joy to have Jesus as the center of our family, which by far is the greatest gift God has blessed me with.

This morning, my parents and I read all of Luke 1 and 2, just to change things up a bit. I was struck by Zechariah’s prophecy as he prayed a dedication over his son, John the Baptist. Within this short passage is some transcending truth that holds huge implications to all of humanity.

Take a few moments and read Luke 1:67-79.

A Redeemer Has Come

This profound truth is summarized in one name: Immanuel, meaning “God with us!” Prior to the first advent of Christ, man’s knowledge of God was limited to descriptions God passed on to humanity. These are still very treasured attributes and names that we hold fast too, but the transcendent nature of God made him at the time seem unknowable. This is why the incarnation is so amazing. God moved into the neighborhood.

When Christ left heaven and wrapped himself in human flesh, he bridged the gap and made a medium in which we could relate to. The Man-God came as an innocent baby, lived a normal life, yet without sin. He understands what it is like to be tired, poor, sad, hungry, rejected, hurt, to lose someone close…he knows what it is like to be human. This is a God who understands us, who can sympathize with us, who remembers we are but dust.

A Remembered Covenant

God looked down through the ages and never once forgot his promise to mankind to send a Redeemer. He knew man would rebel and sin. He knew man would reject His Son. He knew that we would rather worship ourselves then trust Him. He had every reason to withdraw His promises, but He is the faithful covenant keeper! He promised a Deliver to set His people free. God remembered!

A Righteous Response

The story of Christmas often comes to mind cradled with warm fires, close families, presents and comfort. But Jesus didn’t come to make us comfortable. The manger is not just a symbol of peace, but a precursor to the harsh reality of a cross. The love of the Father sent forth His Son to live a perfect life to be a perfect sacrifice. Christmas’ cradle is a call to holiness and righteousness. Jesus doesn’t want you to look upon Him and justify your sins, but to humbly seek forgiveness.

Christmas is a reminder of a decision we must make. It is a time of reflection and action. Who is Jesus? Is He who He says He is? Has He done what He said He would do? There is no middle ground. If Jesus is the Son of God then we are confronted with the reality of our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. It is not comfortable to think about my sin! It is not comforting to think that, left to myself, I would be headed to hell. It isn’t reassuring to realize I need a Savior, that I am lacking something.

Yet the very truth that brings the reality of my need, is the same truth that fulfills it. Seeing Jesus as the Son of God is to realize that He is my Savior. To see Jesus as the Christ is to see that He paid for my sin. This is why He came. He calls to you “come and follow me!” He calls us to forsake our sin and trust Him.

Like any Christmas present under the tree, it’s not enough to just look at it and admire it. You have to receive it and claim it. Jesus’ offer to you is free, you just have to choose to claim Him, to follow Him, to trust Him. That is what Christmas is all about!

Redeeming Christmas

 “I love it and I hate it.”  

The Christmas season that is.

It’s my favorite time of the year and yet it drives me crazy. It’s a world of contradictions in my head and in my heart.

So Much To Love

There is so much to love about it! First and foremost is the reflection on the first Advent of Jesus Christ. The story of His birth and reminders of how much God the Father loved this world of sinners brings the deepest joy.  True Life and the Light to all man, born in a manger in a small village.  Immanuel, God with us, coming in peace and offering the free gift of grace to all who believe.

Christmas carols in every store, on every station, proclaiming the name of Jesus. Decorations galore popping up all around. Snowy nights and warm fires. Family coming together to celebrate and feast. Christmas parties. The hustle and bustle of last minute shopping. Giving of gifts. Candy canes…yum! The list can go and on! It’s a great time of the year.

So Much To Hate

There is so much to hate about this season. The commercialization of the birth of Christ drives people to spend their savings for the next best thing. Instead of love for each other, the willingness to trample someone to get a better spot in line. The insatiable greed of the receiver. The lack of gratitude. The attitude of entitlement. Mythological stories to distract from Christ, like Santa Claus.

Perhaps the truth about my consternation is self-reflective. It is the greed and selfishness that has crept into my own heart that has distracted me from the true meaning of Christmas. I first began to realize this as a young boy when my grandma got me second hand polyester clip on ties, faux turtlenecks, and a ugly sweater vest. I wanted the newest He-Man toy and all I got was some ugly clothes. My parents told me to thank my grandma, but I could hardly look at her. I did muster a slight, “thank you grandma,” but I wasn’t very thankful.

After a while I began to settle down and realize how selfish and ungrateful I was. Before we left grandma’s house, I was able to give her a big hug and tell her I loved her. But I will forever be reminded of how I put my selfish greed above the giver.

“MORE”

The reality is that God knew I was an awful sinner, dead in my trespasses and only desire was selfish, when He gave the first Christmas gift. It was to an entire world of ungrateful, selfish children, who scream “MORE” after opening each gift. No concern for the Giver, only a desire to have fallen appetites quenched for a moment.

Even the world realizes this and comes up with ways to curb the bad attitudes by saying Santa is “making a list and checking it twice, He’s gonna find out who is naughty or nice!” Yet our entire festive season is building toward self-gratification and selfishness.

Joy Unspeakable 

 Yet Jesus came, not to indulge our selfishness, but to overcome it! Santa maybe making a list, but Jesus came to destroy the list. We cannot quantify the love of Christ by a list of good or bad deeds. Even if we could be really really good, we still fall short of His perfection (Romans 3:23). On your best day, the day you have no bad thoughts, the day you put others before yourself every time, when you speak only kind words and never lose your temper, the day you give all your money to the poor guy on the corner and you attend mid-week prayer meeting, even on that day your good deeds are like a dirty diaper to Jesus (Isaiah 64:6). But Jesus came into our mess to clean us up! He wants us to know that He loves us so much (John 3:16).

When we think about the list, we miss the point. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Jesus took our naughty list and nailed it to the cross and dressed us in righteousness! Christmas is the time we should celebrate the provision that God made for us and how we can reflect that to the entire world! Take joy in the God of your Salvation (Habakkuk 3:18).

Redeeming Christmas

I’m learning that I don’t have to wrestle with the love-hate of this season. I can celebrate in freedom and in truth, because the Son has set me free! When I see that Jesus is the foundation for this season and my focus is on communicating Him in all things, it becomes the most joyful time of year. The warmth of family reminds me that I have been adopted into His forever family. The Christmas meals reminds me that I have been invited to feast at God’s table for eternity. The gifts I receive remind me of God’s generous gift in the cradle. The gifts I give help me understand that “it is better to give then to receive,” because in doing so I imitate my God.

Why should I waste my time getting depressed at the evidence of sin around me, when Jesus came to overcome that sin. Enjoy Christmas, see the victory Christ has already won. Only through faith can we see the full joy we can have in the Christmas season and everyday.

So during the hustle and bustle of Christmas week, as you are planning your parties, finishing your shopping and baking your foods, remember to stop and reflect on the One who left heaven, came as a babe, went to the cross, died, was buried and rose again so you can be accepted. He did this to spend time with you. Make the most of the time you have, spend it with Jesus!