The Lord Jesus was not born in a stable due to poverty. No, Joseph was a worker. All evidence points to a man who provided well for his family.
Jesus was born in a stable due to circumstances. A Bethlehem swollen beyond its capacity to provide lodging – an arrival slowed by a near term pregnancy – no room anywhere, except a stable.
For Jesus to have entered anywhere else in Bethlehem that night would have meant displacing somebody. That is not Jesus’ style – not then; not now. His desire is to enter the hearts of a cold world. That is his desire, but He will not move someone aside and just enter their lives. He will never enter without a welcome, but when he is welcomed, those people receive the right to be known as the children of God.
The joy of Christmas is not that a baby came to a manger. The joy of Christmas is that a Savior comes into a heart. Feliz Natal! Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
On Political Correctness
There was once a time, not too long ago, when there was no debate about Christmas. TV talk shows did not interview people about why they don’t want to use “Merry Christmas” as a greeting. Merchants did not feel that they needed to be innocuous or generic. That has apparently changed – though Target, Sears and Lowe’s have recently changed their minds (commercial though they may be) and have begun to use the word “Christmas” again.
What is more intriguing to me is the reaction of the Christian community. Some are angry; others plan boycotts of merchants who aren’t using the word “Christmas”. Isn’t there a larger truth underlying all of this? That truth is that we are failing to reach our own country with the life-changing message that began in a stable – a message that Immanuel has come – a message that began with angels singing but must be proclaimed today by those who believe in Jesus, the one who came to save His people from their sins. It is hypocritical to be angry with Wal-Mart because they don’t use the word “Christmas” when God did not commit responsibility to preach this good news to Wal-Mart. He gave it to us. As we enjoy this holiday season, let’s look for opportunity after opportunity to explain the message of the manger.
There was once a time, not too long ago, when there was no debate about Christmas. TV talk shows did not interview people about why they don’t want to use “Merry Christmas” as a greeting. Merchants did not feel that they needed to be innocuous or generic. That has apparently changed – though Target, Sears and Lowe’s have recently changed their minds (commercial though they may be) and have begun to use the word “Christmas” again.
What is more intriguing to me is the reaction of the Christian community. Some are angry; others plan boycotts of merchants who aren’t using the word “Christmas”. Isn’t there a larger truth underlying all of this? That truth is that we are failing to reach our own country with the life-changing message that began in a stable – a message that Immanuel has come – a message that began with angels singing but must be proclaimed today by those who believe in Jesus, the one who came to save His people from their sins. It is hypocritical to be angry with Wal-Mart because they don’t use the word “Christmas” when God did not commit responsibility to preach this good news to Wal-Mart. He gave it to us. As we enjoy this holiday season, let’s look for opportunity after opportunity to explain the message of the manger.
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