Christmas is here. But what does that really mean. Santa? Gifts? Church? Joy and peace? I suppose if you boiled it all down to the purest points - yes. We give gifts to let others know that they are loved. We shop and spend more money than we probably should. We even take a moment or two to think of those less fortunate and buy gifts or work in soup kitchens. We go to church and sing carols and listen to the Christmas story (Luke's version is my favorite). Then, Christmas ends for another year.
For 24 hours, we forget all that ails us. We forget those who have wronged us. We forget the wrongs we have done. We put childish things aside. We listen quietly on a cold night for cry of the newborn - the one sent to save us all. Then we stop. We go back to work. We lie. We cheat. We lash out in anger. We remember the wrongs. We commit new ones, ourselves. We leave the joy behind as we succumb to road rage.
God sees the evils we have done. He suffers the slings and arrows that we hurl. And yet, he longed to be close to us. I am reminded of a story. There is a barn in winter and there are sparrows quivering in the cold and the darkness. A farmer comes in and sees these sparrows and wants to bring them comfort and warmth. He approaches. The sparrows flee in fear into the darkness. The farmer only wants to bring the sparrows into his house where it is light and warm. But the sparrows fear him. The farmer wishes he could become a bird so he could tell those sparrows that he loves them and wants them to be safe. And that is what God did - we were in fear and darkness. So, he came down as one of us to take away sin and conquer darkness.
We lose sight of that message. Christmas is one of two major holidays where church attendance is higher. People may see Christmas as an obligation, a burden. Is it a burden to be given such a gift? I say not. God sees all our failings. He is angered. He knows our wrongs against Him and against others. And yet, one night, He put all of that aside. He sent His Son to us as our gift. God says to us that all you have done, all you do, and all you will do is forgiven - just believe and accept My Son as your gift. That is a pretty awesome gift. And He had no obligation to do so. He did it willingly.
So, I guess this is where I take a calling from Him. I will take that gift He gave and celebrate it. Jubliee, if you will. Can I promise not swear? Sure. Will I live up to it? I hope so. Can I promise to share and care? Sure, if the Doodlebops have told me I should, I can remember that promise too. Can I look at this wonderful gift and share it with others? You better believe that this is my new goal.
We are but earthen vessels, fragile and weak. And inside, God put his greatest treasure. I gotta remember that. The Potter has molded his clay, and the clay shall not tell the maker how it should be made. That's the end of the sermon - here's a thought though: Look to East for the sign. Even in today's busy world, the star is still shining to lead us home.
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