Tuesday, December 03, 2019
Remember that baby Jesus grew up ...
I am always excited -- and a little frustrated -- this time of year. As a Christian, there are lots of competing issues that can sure make it easy to lose track of the real message. And I do not mean the message that is just shared at Christmas. I mean the message of today. The message of every day until the Lord returns.
So here are a few of those issues that are a little complicated this time of year.
Baby Jesus. God's own son came to earth as a baby. Sweet. Even adorable. But safe. Who doesn't want to cuddle a baby? The fact that God sent his son is amazing news. Christmas is a great time to invite friends, family, and neighbors to worship with us. To let them hear the message of good news.
Except Jesus did not stay a baby. He grew up to die on a cross. Christmas is a great time to initiate conversations about Jesus that can run all the way up to Easter. It is a natural time in our cultural calendar. People may be more receptive than ever to talk about the real Jesus.
So don't let Jesus stay a baby in a manger. He came into a fallen world to do battle with Satan. He did. And he won. His birth is exciting. But he came to die. And be raised.
And what do we do with Christmas Christians? Do you implore them to be a year round follower? Do you chastise them for only showing up three times a year (Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day)? That doesn't really seem appropriate. But we sure don't help them by acting as if that is exactly how believers should be. Tough issue.
This next one never really bothered me and didn't seem to confuse anyone in my family, but I hear people that wrestle with the whole God/Santa Clause issue. Know everything, demands we be good, punish us if not. One real and one not. So do we ignore the world view of Christmas? Or do we just let Santa "stand in" for God.
So it is fair to ask what I do as an Christian to share my faith at Christmas. We keep developing relationships with our neighbors. Cards, food baskets, parties. We invite people to talk about the real baby Jesus. We do invite people to visit church with us. This year going to try a Christmas to Easter journey with some people. Start with the good news of his birth, work right up to his crucifixion and resurrection. Talk about what that means to believe it all year long.
I talk a lot about food, family, fun, and presents. The things everyone likes about Christmas. The things some people wish they could have at Christmas. Lets me talk about Christmas all year long. Because that's what I have as a Christian. Christmas all year long. Because of Jesus.
And that is the Christmas message I want to share.
Just things I wrestle with at Christmas.
So here are a few of those issues that are a little complicated this time of year.
Baby Jesus. God's own son came to earth as a baby. Sweet. Even adorable. But safe. Who doesn't want to cuddle a baby? The fact that God sent his son is amazing news. Christmas is a great time to invite friends, family, and neighbors to worship with us. To let them hear the message of good news.
Except Jesus did not stay a baby. He grew up to die on a cross. Christmas is a great time to initiate conversations about Jesus that can run all the way up to Easter. It is a natural time in our cultural calendar. People may be more receptive than ever to talk about the real Jesus.
So don't let Jesus stay a baby in a manger. He came into a fallen world to do battle with Satan. He did. And he won. His birth is exciting. But he came to die. And be raised.
And what do we do with Christmas Christians? Do you implore them to be a year round follower? Do you chastise them for only showing up three times a year (Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day)? That doesn't really seem appropriate. But we sure don't help them by acting as if that is exactly how believers should be. Tough issue.
This next one never really bothered me and didn't seem to confuse anyone in my family, but I hear people that wrestle with the whole God/Santa Clause issue. Know everything, demands we be good, punish us if not. One real and one not. So do we ignore the world view of Christmas? Or do we just let Santa "stand in" for God.
So it is fair to ask what I do as an Christian to share my faith at Christmas. We keep developing relationships with our neighbors. Cards, food baskets, parties. We invite people to talk about the real baby Jesus. We do invite people to visit church with us. This year going to try a Christmas to Easter journey with some people. Start with the good news of his birth, work right up to his crucifixion and resurrection. Talk about what that means to believe it all year long.
I talk a lot about food, family, fun, and presents. The things everyone likes about Christmas. The things some people wish they could have at Christmas. Lets me talk about Christmas all year long. Because that's what I have as a Christian. Christmas all year long. Because of Jesus.
And that is the Christmas message I want to share.
Just things I wrestle with at Christmas.
