Thursday, December 27, 2012

The Christmas Season [2]

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

It is a year later, and I still like quite a bit of what I wrote last year. In light of that, I want to touch on the titles of Jesus - they are significant. Jesus cannot be dismissed as non-historical; there is simply too much evidence to do that. Similarly, Jesus cannot be left in the realm of history; what is written about Him will not allow for this either. Indeed, the titles ascribed to Jesus not only resulted in His execution, but they have implications for everyone, everywhere, at all times.

Historically speaking, and leaving out the "Christian answer" of why Jesus died (i.e., for the sins of the world), a person could not have made the statements Jesus made about Himself in the ancient world and expect to live. This is fact. Yet please understand, this fact does not negate Jesus' dying for the sins of the world. It is really a "both and" which paints a beautiful picture.

A portion of the beautiful picture it paints is how the God who created everything entered into space and time in a way never previously done. This entrance has HUGE ramifications...and this is a portion of what the Christmas Season celebrates.

The Christmas Season is a sustained celebration of the Incarnation; a joyous time of recalling how God "took on flesh" and dwelt among us; a season consisting of twelve days. Yet it seems our culture has a fascination with days. E.g., New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, Memorial Day, a Wedding Day, and oh yes, Christmas Day.

Yet consider this. New Years Day quickly gives way to the regular work week as the "holidays" abruptly end. Thanksgiving Day gives way to, and is actually being taken over by, Black Friday. Memorial Day is conveniently "observed" on a Monday, no matter when it actually falls, therefore providing for the coveted three day weekend. The Wedding Day is smothered in unrealistic expectations by many, as minor details are meticulously planned and fretted over while the more significant days are always those which come after the "big day". Oh, and yes, Christmas Day - it has already come and gone.

I wonder, has the "Christmas Spirit" already gone as well? For some it seems the most lasting impact of Christmas is the increase to their mountain of debt...

It seems what is rightfully the Christmas Season, at least for followers of Jesus, has followed the path of other "big days" in our culture. It is merely a day. While it may be a special day for some, for others it would be better if it were closer to a weekend in order to provide for more time off from work. Not on the weekend mind you, but either Friday or Monday. After all, that would allow for this "day" to be a great benefit to us, right? And it seems that is where most of our efforts and focus go - to us.

The titles of Jesus, coupled with the Christmas Season, indicate otherwise; all attention and focus is to be toward Him. We can ignore that...but we should not be surprised when the elusive things of this world, like peace for example, remain just that. Oh yeah, we would also be dismissing one of the titles of Jesus (Lord) that got Him killed.

Until next time, Merry Christmas!!!


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