Real Lessons from the Real Christmas Story
Several weeks ago, I shared my observation that an indoctrination campaign is taking place regarding Thanksgiving and Christmas. For a few weeks we revisited the true meaning and roots of Thanksgiving as a special day in our country. Today, I want to start unpacking the truth and foundation of Christmas. To begin with, we need to be aware that there are sinister forces at work in regard to Christmas. This should not surprise us. Satan is the author and planner of this movement to remove Christ from Christmas. The Bible tells us that Satan is the “Father of Lies." Satan has sought to deceive mankind from the beginning. Since true life, forgiveness, and redemption come from Jesus, it should not surprise us when "Hellish" forces attack the Christmas message. The result of this blitzkrieg of lies is that we live in a world where people have been deceived and do not know the truth about Jesus. They do not understand what the Christmas season and message is all about.
How do we combat this misinformation crusade? The answer is that we are called to introduce and explain Jesus to a world that desperately needs to know the truth. Most know the actor, Steve Harvey. He is well known as being the host of “Family Feud.” He also has done comedy sketches and given inspirational speeches. As a Christian believer, Harvey shared how he would introduce Jesus, if given the chance. Harvey began this way: “Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce a man who needs no introduction. His credits are too long to list. He has done the impossible time after time. He hailed out of a manger in Bethlehem Judea by way of Heaven. His Daddy is the author of a book that has been on the best seller list since the beginning of time. He holds the record for the greatest fish fry. He fed 5,000 hungry souls with two fish and five loaves of bread. He can walk on water. He can turn water into wine. No special effects, no camera tricks! He has been hailed as the King of Kings. The ruler of the universe. The Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. The bright and morning star. He has been called the Rose of Sharon and the Prince of Peace. Get up on your feet, put your hands together and show your love for the second coming of the one and only!” At that point, Steve Harvey did the “mic drop” move, and those hearing his introduction erupted in applause.
It is my observation that the Christmas story has faded in glory in today’s world. There is no “mic drop” reaction for most as they travel through the Christmas season. Over the next few weeks, let's reinvigorate our hearts and minds regarding the greatness of Jesus and this season that celebrates His birth and first coming. Let us begin with remembering that Jesus was born to a couple of unknown young adults. Joseph and Mary lived in backwater Nazareth. It was “nowhere-ville." It was a ridiculed place where sophisticated people would question “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Joseph was a young carpenter. Mary would bear the Son of God while being a virgin. Let me stop and say that the virgin birth of Jesus was simply God “showing-off” and giving this world an amazing glimpse of His indescribable power.
There was nothing special about this young couple, except that that they were devoted to God. The Creator of the universe chose these two because they would follow Him. What God told them to do, they would obey. While they did not understand everything Jesus would do or say, they gave God humble service and faithful obedience. This is an important concept for us to understand today. As we navigate life in this wild world, we often comprehend little of what is really happening around us. We live in a world that is immersed in warfare, and I’m speaking about more than what is happening in the Middle East and other far-flung places on planet Earth. There is a war raging for the souls and destiny of every person who lives, has lived, and will live. The message of Christmas is that Jesus came to save lost mankind by giving his life as a ransom. Jesus was more than a poor babe born in a barn; He came to be a sacrificial lamb. From His first breath as the “God-Man," Jesus was on a journey that would lead to His death on a cross. Jesus would bear mankind’s sins. Finally, Jesus would rise from the dead guaranteeing life and forgiveness for all who would follow Him. This is the heart of what Christmas is all about. Keep looking up!