So This Is Christmas...?

Forgive me, friends, but today’s post may be a bit of a rant. I’m sick and tired of a lot of things this morning. I guess you could call me a time hoarder—it’s one of my most treasured possessions. And we’re wasting it!


Christmas and some of our pastor’s thoughts about it are on my mind. What have we done to Christmas? I’m not talking about reindeer and Santa and the commercialization of the holiday. I’m talking about those of us who do remember that Christ is “the reason for the season.” If we get it, then what are we doing about it? I’ve done church for a long time, and here’s what I see. We look at the plastic or wooden baby Jesus set on the sofa table or piano, bow our heads, thank God that He sent His Son to save us from sin, smile serenely for the comfort that thought brings…and then get back to obsessing over baking, Christmas parties, shopping, and how on earth we’re going to survive yet another holiday with family members who drive us crazy! What?! Shouldn’t we be moved to do more than that? Oh, sure, there are a number of charity events we can get involved with during this time of year, and I think we should get involved with those events. But that’s the least we should do. There’s so much more we must do besides hand out donated toys once a year. And yes, I said it—we need to be doing and being a lot more and not just in the month of December. Christmas has become one of the most self-centered times of year. And I’m not talking about your kids and all the presents they want. No, I’m talking about you. I’m talking about how some Christmas tradition isn’t being followed the way your family did it in your childhood. How you’re just so stressed out and that lady had the audacity to cut you off in traffic. I don’t know your situation so just fill in the blank. And then…get over yourself. Don’t get me wrong—I care about you and your struggles. But you know what I’m sayin’.


Of all the names for Jesus (which, by the way, is the Greek form of Joshua, which means “the Lord saves”), my favorite is Emmanuel, “God with us.” The purest form of purity, the ultimate goodness of good left heaven and came down to this nasty place (that we screwed up!) to bring hope and salvation. Think about childbirth. It’s not a clean process. And Jesus was born in a cave filled with animal dung! And the world was as scary then as it is now. Evil lurked, prowled, and pounced (and still does!) everywhere. And yet He still came. Why?


First of all, because His Daddy told Him to. Yep, that’s right. Jesus came to earth because His Father told Him to. Perhaps we should follow suit. Why should you stop gossiping about your neighbors and coworkers? Because your Daddy told you to. Why should you honor your promises and keep your word? Because your Daddy told you to. Why should you create a home of peace and joy and every day show your spouse and children that you love them? Because your Daddy told you to. Why should you think outside your own little world? Because your Daddy told you to. Why should you do something in this world to stop the evil and nonsense that hurts, injures, and even kills people? Because your Daddy told you to. Even when you don’t want to, you’d best do what your Daddy told you to do. Because He made you and He knows what’s best for you…even when it seems that you know better what’s best for you.


And (this is the most important part, so pay attention) because your Daddy LOVES you. And once you understand that He loves you, He wants His love to work in you. He wants it to work in you so that what pains Him pains you. He wants you to have a heart like His so that you’ll show others in this world that He loves them. And I’m not talking only about the children in Ethiopia who face more pain every day than we can imagine. I’m not talking only about the nameless children in your community that you help give a Christmas gift to. There’s a saying that, silly as it may seem, we need to take to heart and put into practice every day: Bloom where you’re planted. Don’t wait till your life is a little less busy to share God’s love with others. Instead, send a grocery store gift card anonymously to a family you know needs it. Instead of complaining about your work load to your coworkers, encourage them in the midst of their workday by telling them you’re glad you all have jobs and are blessed to work together. And what about your family? What can you do to be a light in your family’s life every single day? Cherish your spouse and your children and make sure they know that you do. As G. B. Stern said, “Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.” And don’t just tell them you love them; remember that actions speak more loudly than words.


But above all, remember, and remember always, that your Father loves you. And this is why we are who we are and we do what we do.


So let’s go, folks. Spread His love today, right where you are.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).


“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

Controlling the Chaos

My mind is very cluttered this morning. I'm not sure why. If I start analyzing, I can find some reasons, but the greatest reason is this: Satan doesn't want my mind to be clear. He delights in confusion and chaos. Why? Because if my mind, vision, and hearing aren't clear, I won't be able to think about, see, or hear my Father.


This week my earthly father reminded me of one of the many wonderful verses in Psalms:

"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10a).

It is so very hard to just stop and be still, though, isn't it? There's always so much to do and process. But God commands us to stop. Our society needs to remember that God created a Sabbath for a reason. He knows we need rest, and He knows we need to find rest in Him. This past week I have thought much about the idea of capturing my thoughts and managing them, rather than their managing me. Paul said,

"[W]e take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5b).

How many times have you realized that you're obsessing over a situation that you hadn't thought of in hours, weeks, or even years? It happens to me. However, I have begun to learn that this is sin. Anything that keeps our focus away from God and pulls us away from Him and the abundant life He desires for us is sin. And since I have begun to understand this, I have begun to ask God to capture my thoughts before they run rampantly through my brain and banish them.

We are truly at war. Satan longs to ruin our lives.

"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8b).

I am reminded of Ephesians 6. Paul clearly explains what we're up against and how to combat it:

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:12-18).

It is interesting to me that Paul ends this passage with a reminder for us to pray for each other. We need each other desperately. One of Satan's best tactics is isolation. When one is separated from the "flock," he or she is extremely vulnerable to attacks. So, friends, be deliberate this week about your thoughts. And stick together. We need each other's protection and love.