I'm always a little surprised by the arrival of the Christmas season. For one thing, living in Georgia, the warm weather is certainly no cue. And of course, by the time finals are over in the second week of December and I can come out of my study cave, Christmas is everywhere... and I, for one, am shocked.
Every year, I struggle a little bit with all the craziness that goes along with Christmastime. The crazy shoppers, the impatience, the greediness... is it even worth the good times? Well, of course it is. My favorite part of the season is all the time I get to spend with my family, and that is especially true this year since I have missed them so much while at school.
{Also, my brother and sister-in-law are here this year. That is a gift in and of itself.}
But what about "The Reason for the Season"?
Honestly, for a while I even struggled with that. As someone who perceives things very literally, I was a little dismayed several years ago when I found out that Jesus was most likely born sometime in April. It's not even His birthday. Why are we pretending?
Well, no matter the origins of Christmas, I believe this time of year, when it seems that everyone is suddenly talking about Jesus, is something for believers to be really excited about. However, my prayer is that we don't stop at His birth. What about why He came? That's worth thinking about a little deeper, isn't it?
On Sunday morning, my pastor gave a really cool message about the different perspectives that we, as fallen human beings, can have about the birth of our Savior. Something that he said really surprised me, and it was this: When you think you don't need a savior, he's not only resistible- he's a threat, and even a nuisance.
Boy, that really got me thinking. As soon as he said that, my pen began to very quickly form these words on a page in my journal:
When you don't realize the danger you're in, you don't want to be saved.
But what about when it all falls apart? When you turn around and finally see the fire that's been chasing you all along- that maybe even has overcome you? What happens when you're gasping for air because you've gone as far as you can on your own?
You need a Savior. Desperately. Immediately.
The thing is that we're broken. Broken people in a fallen world who don't see how desperate we are for salvation. It would be laughable if it wasn't so true, so sad. It'd be amusing if we weren't all drowning.
We need a Savior. Right now.
I'm guilty. Could anyone even count how many times I've tried to save myself? "I got myself into this mess, I'll get myself out" ...please. I'm broken. I am too far gone.
I need a Savior. His name is Jesus.
I wish a very merry Christmas to all of you. I hope you enjoy the time spent with family, the food, the giving and receiving, and the excitement of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ (even if the timing is a little off base). I hope the heartaches that can feel so much more painful at this time of year can be eased. But more than anything, I hope you accept the beautiful salvation that Jesus Christ came to earth and conquered death to give. I hope you worship the One who sent grace to us all.
O, Holy night, the stars are brightly shiningIt is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world, in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared, and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine! Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night, oh night divine.
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