Responding to Christmas
"Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all people; for today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."‘Tis the season to be jolly! Can it really be that it’s time again for the tinsel, carols, parties, candy canes and a Santa on every corner? If the ‘man on the street’ reporter were to ask the passersby if they knew what Christmas was all about, they would say with assurance, Of course! It’s Jesus’ birthday!
I find it strange that the same people who believe in the BABY Jesus refuse to believe in the MAN Jesus...Christmas without Easter. They can easily accept the birth in the manger and the necessity for him to be born so humbly, etc. But the subject of His death and resurrection is another matter completely. To believe that He died for us individually so that we might live forever takes a lot more faith.
Statistics prove that there are more suicides, depression and crimes during this season than any other. Can it be that, for whatever reason, too many people never take Him out of the manger? Never follow Him through the miracles, the garden or the tomb? Never realize that He can live in their hearts and meet their deepest need?
This is the Christ of Christmas fulfilled to become the Christ of Easter. They cannot be separated.
Lord, our lives miss everything if we leave You in the manger. Thank you for coming to us that way...but help us to realize it was never meant for us to leave You there. Amen.
© 12-01 Rosi Braatz