Would he be honored with all the manger scenes, Christmas trees, Santa Clauses and Black Friday super sales?
It's interesting to watch the various battles going on in the media and Times Square.
But is Christ truly honored with our tradition of Christmas? Would he come into the malls and turn over the tables? Would he rebuke Santa and tell him to pick up his tree and follow him?
How did we ever get to the point of where Christmas has come? Shopping and credit card debt, to the point that if someone doesn't get a present on December 25th they feel left out. Even the day set aside to give Thanks is no longer sacred as the malls are now open while TV adds declare what are the latest idols we just MUST have this year. Where is Christ in Christmas? Oh sure, we put up a manager scene and go to church at midnight, but is that really what is desired?
It seems to me, that we have traded truth for tradition. A Savior for a Santa.
What did Jesus have to say about the traditions of men?
One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They noticed that some of his disciples failed to follow the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating. (The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands, as required by their ancient traditions. Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.)
So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, “Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.”
Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,
‘These people honor me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.”
Then he said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition. For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents. And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others.” (Mark 7:1-13)Ouch, what other scorching words came by way of the prophet Isaiah?
Listen to the Lord, you leaders of “Sodom.” Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.” “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony? Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting—they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings.Did God ordain Christmas? Double ouch!
Now let me be clear here. I am not taking the route that some religious circles have taken, by calling everything "pagan" and saying we need to dump it all. What I am doing is asking is: WWJD?
Besides being Savior of the world, he is Redeemer of all! But what is redemption and how can we redeem Christmas?
First, Webster's defines the verb to redeem (the root of redemption) as:
re·deem transitive verb \ri-ˈdēm\
: to make (something that is bad, unpleasant, etc.) better or more acceptable: to exchange (something, such as a coupon or lottery ticket) for money, an award, etc.: to buy back (something, such as a stock or bond)
Certainly we recognize that Jesus came to redeem the souls of men from the world and sin...exchanging his life for ours on the cross.
But in his teaching ministry, he, time and again, would redeem people and the actions of men:
- To the woman at the well, he taught that Messiah had come for all people and that true worship was in Spirit and in truth.
- To the woman caught in the act of adultery, he taught that no man has the right to judge another as we are all sinners in need of grace.
- In the case of fasting, he taught that it wasn't to be for show (for others to see how pious you are) but a private and intimate communion with your God.
- And in regards to the Sabbath, he taught that man wasn't made for the Sabbath, but that the Sabbath was made for man...to refresh and to renew and draw close to God.
Second, how do we redeem Christmas?
Recently in the news, it was reported that the Pope made some statements in regards to global capitalism/consumerism and was sorely attacked by some of it's staunchest advocates. Some even went to the point of calling the Pope a Marxist. Hmmm...would those same proponents have labeled the early church as such...
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Act 2:41-47)
In the Pope's 84 page report, he writes...
"How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points?"And elsewhere...
"I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security," he wrote.Isn't that the commandment that Jesus identifies those that are truly his..
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Wasn't that the meaning of Christmas...
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
- Glory to God in the highest, He is our Savior (Jesus in Hebrew is Yehoshua, meaning Yehovah is Salvation)
- On earth, peace, good will toward men
... for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. ’Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:31-40)
The trees are nice, the snowmen are cool, the balls of holly are festive and merry.
Presents
But there is a single mom that is struggling to pay the rent and her electricity will be cut off in a few days. Can those be the presents of the season?
Home for the holidays
There are children in the foster care system that have been pulled from homes of abuse and neglect that would love to come "home" for Christmas. A home that is safe and full of love.
Midnight Mass
There is coworker or neighbor that is struggling with addiction, and demons are filling their nights with terror. Is there anyone that can put their arm around them and stay with them through the night, praying that grace and mercy brings them peace?
Christmas cards
There are women sold into the sex trade industry, and believers in distant lands that are persecuted; their homes burned, their families tortured. Can we partner with relief organizations and send our gifts or talents across the seas to meet their needs and rescue their souls?
Christmas dinner
There is a homeless man on the corner of the street, can we give him a cool bottle of water, a sandwich, and a few minutes of our time to let him know that he has value?
Perhaps, instead of worrying if someone said Happy Holidays, rather than Merry Christmas or being offended if we can't put up a manger scene on government property, if we actually showed the love of Christ in a tangible way, more would be drawn unto him.
As I write this, I convict myself and must resolve in the new day and in the New Year, to be a doer and not just a hearer of the Word.
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. (James 2:14-17)Let us purpose together to redeem Christmas, and bring glory to God in the highest!
Merry Christmas!
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