December

I tend to think of December as a cold month with way too much to do. Don’t get the idea that I don’t like Christmas. I do. It’s just that there are so many activities which need attention, putting up the tree, buying the presents, remembering who wants what as I enter the store on December 24th to begin my shopping.

I genuinely enjoy the emphasis regarding the birth of the Redeemer – God revealing Himself in man’s body so that He might provide the ultimate sacrifice through His death on the Cross. I am fond of Christmas Carols, and the music of Christmas (Think -Kenny G, Mannheim  Steamroller, Trans Siberian Orchestra, etc.), especially those Hymns that I have sung since I was a child.

It bothers me a bit that we don’t think about the incarnation (God assuming the form of man) much during the rest of the year. If we did we might better understand how He walks and a talks with us every day if we are willing to walk and talk with Him. I get concerned when folks come to Church during December that we seldom see other months. Some come to see their children perform in the Christmas pageant, some come to please family members, some come because they are convinced once or twice a year is sufficient. Growing to maturity in “The Faith” is not a part of their agenda. It doesn’t mean I am not glad to see them, its just that our Savior and Lord deserves (and requires) more that a mere assent to a recognition of His birth.

The gifts on which many focus are not the gifts of. . . Life Eternal, Heaven on Earth, Ministry Empowerment, Peace, Joy, Llove, Enlightenment, Wisdom,  Spiritual Gifts, and absolute Righteousness.  Yet, indeed, those are the gifts that are most valuable in the life of a Believer.

Again this year there will be good times, wonderful gatherings, culinary magic, great gifts, and families celebrating together. I won’t say or do anything to discourage any and all of that. But I will speak of the “reason for the Season.” Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem of Judea, is the reason. His birth began His journey to the Cross of Calvary, there where the blood of the perfect sacrifice purchased for all mankind redemption from the curse of sin and death.

“In letters of crimson, God wrote His llove, on a hillside so long, long ago. . .” (Janet Paschal)