Responding to the Christmas message
For the sake of space I am requesting you read Matt 1:18-25 and Ch. 2, and Luke 1:26-38 and 2:1-20; with that I will assume you understand the narrative enough to follow this subject.
What is the essence of Christmas?
Christians celebrate what is referred to as the “Birth of Christ.” However, scholars reveal that December 25 could not reasonably be the literal birth of Christ. But out of custom and reverence, it is recognized as a religious holiday commemorating that event anyway. It is a point in time set aside in devout rejoicing of that Holy event. What Christmas is really about is the entrance of God in the flesh to our world. That’s what Emmanuel means, God with us. God came into our world and became a human in order to experience life as one of us and, consequently, to die for our sins on the cross. But at Christmas the recognition is more concentrated on God arriving in human form.
How do we respond to that message?
The various reactions for today can be best illustrated by the reactions of then. When Mary and Joseph were both approached about the word of God (Christ) that was coming, Mary’s response was “May it be to me as you have said.” Joseph’s was practically similar in that he obeyed God-given instructions to bring the word to pass in his and other’s lives. To top that off, as husband and wife, Mary and Joseph acted together as active participants, they were in agreement.
The shepherds heard about Christ and quickly went to see for themselves. They found everything to be true and went away rejoicing and informing others who were amazed at the shepherd’s first-hand account of an encounter with the living word of God (Christ).
The wise men came from afar when they had a witness, (His star) to see for themselves and went to worship. They brought their acknowledgement and bore gifts. When they encountered Christ, they bowed and presented their gifts to someone they sought out and recognized as worthy of worship.
Herod deceitfully gave lip service allegiance to Christ so that he could get into a position to destroy what he saw as a threat to his rule. Herod wanted to kill the message and life that Christ represented.
All of Jerusalem, which included the chief priests and teachers of the law, were disturbed about the message they were hearing about the King who had been born, Who entered their world, yet no one made provisions or efforts to go see for themselves.
All excited for naught. These were the general, but true reactions of that day.
How similar or exacting of our day. Nothing new under the sun. There are those who respond with accommodation and effort to support the Word of God they hear. Others go and see for themselves, become convinced of the reality of Christ and become a witness of the truth. Some hear and will go to great lengths to seek out and find what they are convinced of to worship with their gifts and lives. Some only go along with superficial accommodation while plotting to do away with anything resembling a superior rule over their life and their influence over others. Not wanting to submit to the Word of God, they become spiritual and literal betrayers of what is innocent, pure and righteous so it doesn’t grow into some kind of competition for the souls of men. Too many become aroused with curiosity and know the difference and while not actively opposing the Message of Christmas. They become apathetic or preoccupied with things less important and miss out on finding that which is worthy of their worship.
The obvious question is how are you responding to the Message of Christmas? Accommodating? Active participants? See for yourself? Inform others? Go to worship? Plot against? Seek to destroy? Indifferent?
You can read the account of the true Christmas story as provided in aforementioned scriptures to get a contextual picture.
Please consider reading the Christmas story this season and going to a church that presents its service in recognition of that blessed event.
Thank you.
Find my previous work at traceygardone.com.