Wow... the end of 2010 is drawing very near. I feel like every year seems to go by faster and faster. I wonder what it will feel like when I'm 35 or 50 or 90?!
On to a post that I've been meaning to write for a while:
I'm not sure what is different this year from years past, but I've been incredibly struck by the "lostness" of people this Christmas season. Over the past few years I've thought about trying to combat the materialism of Christmas by buying presents from thehungersite.com or by promoting causes like Water for Christmas or The International Princess Project. These are all good organizations doing great things. Fighting materialism is good, but it's not what Christmas is about. Giving to a good cause for good cause sake may just put a bandaid over a problem that is much deeper. BUT... this year I'm struck by how close people are to the gospel of Jesus Christ and how closed their ears and eyes are. Maybe it's because my small group is reading a kick butt book on communication and how at the depth of how we communicate is what we believe about God. It basically just lays out the gospel over and over again. Maybe it's because I have a son now and am thinking more deeply about the traditions in our culture.
One of the first things that struck me this season was when I was watching the lighting of the tree at the Rockefeller Center. Some musician was singing this awesome version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." At first I was really enjoying the version. Slowly I realized that this woman most likely did not believe in Christ's grace. In fact, of all the hundreds of people waving their cell phones at her concert, only a few probably believed the words of the song. Even more, thousands or possibly millions of Americans were listening to her sing the truth and I just wonder how many of them actually heard the words. How many of us actually listen to the message of Christmas or do we just hear a sentimental tune?
God rest ye merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
In Bethlehem, in Israel, this blessèd Babe was born,
And laid within a manger upon this blessèd morn;
The which His mother Mary did nothing take in scorn.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
From God our heavenly Father a blessèd angel came;
And unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
“Fear not, then,” said the angel, “Let nothing you afright
This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s power and might.”
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind,
And went to Bethl’em straightaway this blessèd Babe to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
But when to Bethlehem they came where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas all others doth deface.
Oh tidings of comfort and joy! Oh I am near tears thinking about those who try to "send their energy and positive thoughts to the situation in North Korea" (asked to do this by a yoga teacher) and to those who try to find hope and "Christmas joy" in themselves, vacation, presents, family, or anything besides the love and grace of Christ. What stress and disappointment if our hope is in what we can accomplish alone. What amazing comfort and peace when we realize that we don't have to do it alone. When will we realize that we needed a Savior desperately and God became man so that he could rescue us from our darkness?! He is the LIGHT of the world!
No comments:
Post a Comment