CHRISTMAS

                                                                     CHRISTMAS

    Christmas is a great deal more than the traditional observance most Christians celebrate. The reason for our celebration is the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. But, if we paid attention to books of the Old Testament, Christmas would mean much more. We
shouldn't forget Santa Claus, either, because he gives us an  excellent teaching point. In fact, symbols of the Christian observance of the holiday all can teach the story of Christ. 

    We may begin our understanding of God's long range plan of salvation by learning the lesson in the eighth book of scripture, the book of Ruth. This is a relatively short book, and I urge you to begin your Christmas holiday by reading this book. It is a love story and tells about redemption. You see, there was redemption long before Christ was born. The method was different, but the end result was the same. After I was ordained, I was given the task of presenting my church's Christmas message. I was very excited to have this opportunity, and I learned much about the politics of the church from this early episode. I was about to turn to the New Testament to prepare the message, when the Holy Spirit sent me to the Book of Ruth. I didn't have much understanding in those days, and thought I was in the wrong place. However, after reading the book, I understood I was supposed to present the story of redemption. That's why God sent Christ.

    Before it was my place to present my message, the senior pastor gave his "introduction" for me to give the Christmas story. However, before I could begin, he had the congregation turn to Luke 2:1-20. There it was: Joseph and Mary sent to Bethlehem to register for taxes, no room at the inn, the wise men, shepherds and birth of Christ. He didn't leave much for me, except, I believe, an attempt to embarrass me and elevate him as senior pastor. He was in total shock when I gave my message of redemption through the Book of Ruth. He had never heard that message for Christmas. Chalk up one for the Holy Spirit.

    Another Christmas season I used another book from the Old Testament to illustrate God's mercy in redemption. Please turn to the Book of Jonah. This is another relatively short book, but has a terrific impact. God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh, a large city inhabited by a fierce people who piled mounds of skulls at the entrance to the city to invoke fear. Jonah was instructed to preach God and redemption to these people, a task he had tried to avert by running away. It's understandable you wouldn't want to preach to these people. God showed great mercy because the people did repent, and God didn't destroy them.

    The third person in this story of redemption is John the Baptist, and this is the first character from the New Testament. You can read about him in all four gospels, but I like John , chapter one. These scriptures are the forerunners of redemption and salvation,
and that is exactly what Christmas is about. Every child, Christian or not, should have the opportunity to hear the story of Christ's birth. It should not be overshadowed by Santa Claus and gifts. Instead, Santa and gift giving should be brought into the Christian story. It's not just mercy and redemption: it is really about love.

     It's a shame Christian lawmakers are wasting their time trying to enact strict personal laws, while they can't even maintain the traditional observance of Christ's birth. They have seen Merry Christmas replaced by Happy Holidays. They have seen traditional
decorations toned down and even banned. Worst of all, they have caved in to the almighty dollar, and have encouraged a commercial takeover of the holiday season. There is more excitement on Black Friday and the mad rush to the sales than teaching the meaning of
Christ and salvation. Further, people, Christians included, miss a red letter opportunity to use the made to order symbols.

    The symbols are the tree, which can represent the cross on which Christ was crucified. Even young children can understand a simple explanation of sacrifice and salvation. The lights represent the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, who dispelled darkness with the light of truth, honesty and love. The reindeer remind us of the setting of Christ's birth, His lowly status, and the animals that surrounded Him. The star guided the shepherds and wise men to the place of His birth. The gifts brought by the wise men were delivered with
love and were needed when it was necessary for the holy family to flee to Egypt. In addition to the gift of salvation, God has given  us gifts of the Spirit. Some of these are explained in Ephesians, chapter 4. 

    The incentive is for everyone, adults and children, to live a Christ-like life and be good people. We exchange gifts as a symbol of love and respect. Santa now handles the delivery of gifts, and expects children to be well behaved during the year. Santa, like
Christ, does not have favorites, and represents the mercy and good that Christ taught. Some form of Christmas is practiced in many countries around the world. Christ welcomed and sacrificed His sinless life for all who would accept His offer of eternal life. That
includes all races. If you separate races and support anyone else who does, you are violating Christ's teaching and God's plan of inclusion for all who believe in Him. There is only one heaven, and both bad and good people in all races. Christ will judge you, and
decide if you qualify for heaven. 

    You cannot be filled with happiness and joy for Christ's birthday if you're filled with hatred of any kind. Don't be fooled by those half dozen verses in Proverbs stating God hates certain things. Those verses are not part of Christ's teaching, and were written by people with no religious standing, including King Solomon. Those verses are good suggestions for living a Godly life, but not following them does not exclude you from salvation. A sin is a sin, and all are judged equally. None of us can stop sinning because we are carnal in nature. 

    For those Christians who suffer from self righteousness, I send you to John 8:1-12. This is where a woman in adultery was brought for judgment. Jesus drew a line in the sand and invited any sinless man among her accusers to toss the first stone. Death by stoning was
the punishment for adultery. One by one, the men left, because none were sinless except Christ. In the Christmas season, all Christians should be keenly aware of Christ's teaching, which was all about love. If you bear hatred, whether racial or otherwise, your Christian walk is in big trouble. The gift of eternal life is there. Don't blow your opportunity by excluding love from your Christmas.

Rev. Walbear