CHRISTMAS: A FRESH WORD

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:1-3 ESV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God…. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-2, 10-14 ESV)

            Have you ever thought of what it was like in Israel before Jesus came? The Jewish nation had not received a fresh word from the Lord for 450 years. The last prophet of the older covenant, Malachi, spoke four centuries before Jesus was born. 

            In comparison to the rest of the world, the United States is a relatively young nation. Double the length of time the country has existed and this is how long since the tribes of Israel had heard a fresh word from God. The people living with the promise existed on a hope not based on a current encounter with the Lord. They lived by an obedience void of a recent experience with their Redeemer from oppression and bondage.

            Today the Holy Spirit abides in those following Jesus, yet Israelis did not have this special blessing. The Holy Spirit did not reside in believers until after Jesus ascended into Heaven, fifty days after dying on the Cross.

            Does ancient Israel’s situation relate to current circumstances? Possibly! Presently many followers of Jesus are as thirsty and hungry for a fresh word from God as the people of Israel must have been just prior to the day of Pentecost. If contemporary believers find themselves starving while having the presence of the Holy Spirit, then the Jewish people must have been famished to the point of death. Discouragement was most likely a defining factor of their era.

            Look at the scenario from another perspective. What occurs when believers gather to worship on a Sunday morning? They sing as a means of bringing themselves into harmony with one another, united in thought by the lyrics of songs. They give an offering as a means of reflecting a core value of God who gave with supreme liberality. They pray as a means of communicating to the Lord about His nature and their needs. They examine Scripture to hear from God, becoming reconciled in heart, soul, and body. Yet everything is done with reliance upon the Holy Spirit who dwells within and guides worshipers to the Heavenly Father.

            Gathering to worship is one way to experience a fresh word from the Lord. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, followers of Christ regularly come together to gain a relevant message from His throne. Yet Israel went centuries without such a blessing when they gathered. God’s people went so long without a word from Him that they did not recognize the Incarnate Word when Jesus came.

            Time and distance impacts an awareness of God. The longer the interlude without a fresh word from the Heavenly Father the more difficult it is to recognize when a divine visitation takes place. Frequently failing to attend church dulls the senses from knowing when God speaks. The gathering is weekly, not monthly or only during established holidays.

            Are you in need of experiencing a fresh word from the Incarnate Word? Are you able to recognize a divine word when it comes? A couple of clues out of the Christmas narrative can help you answer the question.

A fresh word establishes peace

            The angels proclaimed on the first Christmas morning, “Peace on earth.” They could make this pronouncement because they knew Jesus as the Prince of Peace. A world in conflict, or a nation in conflict, or a community in conflict, or a person experiencing inward conflict can have peace restored through Jesus, the Incarnate Word.

            Peace is the result of grace, meaning to bind together. The peace that comes from the unmerited and unearned love of God can weave a fragmented soul with wholeness, a peace beyond full comprehension. You can recognize a fresh word from God for it is saturated with peace.

            In everyone is a potential civil war of divergent drives. On an increasing level people feel like a rubber band being stretched in every direction. The Word made flesh brings an end to turmoil and inner conflict. The past becomes forgiven, He controls the present, and He shows the way into the future.

A fresh word establishes joy

            A favorite song during the holiday season is “Joy to the World.” This can only be sung because Jesus has come. He is the joy of the annual celebration – not Christmas trees and lights, Christmas gifts, Christmas cards and well-wishes, Christmas gatherings and programs, or Christmas cheer.

            Nehemiah reveals the importance of possessing divine joy: “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” Joy is based on reconciliation with God and the personal empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Such joy acts as a fortress, guarding you from the troubles and temptations contained in each and every day. Such joy acts as the power and motivation to persevere through the challenges of living. You can recognize a fresh word from God for it lifts your spirit to supreme heights of joy.

            Elton Trueblood, a classic writer of eternal truths, wrote, “The Christian is joyful, not because he is blind to injustice and suffering but because he is convinced that these, in light of God’s power, are never ultimate.”

            A mother and her daughter, dressed in shabby clothes, were standing outside the Daley Center, near the Marshall Fields’ department store in downtown Chicago, admiring the manger scene on the square. The setting was elaborately portrayed with Mary and Joseph, the baby Jesus, and Wise Men bringing lavished gifts. The little girl kept staring at the face of Mary, depicted in a very innocent and pure appearance. Finally, she said, “She’s so beautiful but she does not know the pain and trouble we have.” The figurine did not give an accurate interpretation, nor the completed story.

            Christmas is a divine testimony to every impoverished little child that He does know the pain and trouble people face. God sent His Son to die and knows exactly the hurt and sorrow of life. He recognizes, understands, and cares. And He also has the power to turn all grief into joy.

A fresh word establishes righteousness

            Righteousness means being in a right relationship with God. The chief reason why Jesus came on the first Christmas morning was to restore everyone into a suitable standing with the Heavenly Father.

            Out of rebellion, also called willful disobedience, a relationship with God became marred with shame, beginning in the Garden of Eden. The current condition of the soul is causing a sense of impending doom, feeling a great dread with regards to life after death. Living without Jesus is troubling by the inevitability of the present life coming to an end. Through faith in Christ a relationship with God can be made right. You can recognize a fresh word from God for it brings you into an eternal relationship with Him.

            An ancient proverb states: “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in character. If there is beauty in character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”

            The Incarnate Word restores a right standing with God, bringing order to every dimension of life.

A fresh word

            Current events reveal a world in desperate need of a fresh word from God. People need the peace He provides, the strength of His joy, and a right standing with Him. And God in these last days is speaking through His Son, the Incarnate Word.

            Are you keeping your experience with the Incarnate Word alert and current? Has staleness developed in your heart? Has peace and joy been lost? Then most likely a right standing with God has diminished or disappeared. Make things right with Him this Christmas season, then join the angels in worship of the soon coming King. He is coming again.

            The Incarnate Word wishes to give you a fresh word. I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

CHRIST CELEBRATION

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:4-14 ESV)

            The word Christmas comes from combining the words “Christ” and “Mass.”  The holiday is a celebration of Christ. You are rejoicing about His coming to earth.

            Years ago Brenda and I went to Florida in December to see our daughter-in-law graduate from Southeastern University. Part of her graduation gift included a trip to Disney’s MGM studio. A New York City Street setting is located on a back lot. During the evening the whole area was lit-up with millions of decorative lights. It was impressive! While walking down the street simulated snowflakes fell out of clear Florida skies, the flakes being made from tiny dissolvable soap shavings. I do not recommend catching them with your mouth. The visitors were giddy over the fake snow. Christmas is not special because of snow.

            While visiting the Disney complex we also saw the decorations at the Grand Floridian Hotel. A clubhouse-size genuine Ginger Bread House was located in the lobby, along with numerous Victorian Christmas trees. Walking toward the main entrance the song “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” was playing and chestnuts were being cooked on a gas grill near the front doors. The cook gave a few samples and showed us how to open the shell. They were the blandest nuts I had ever eaten and tasted terrible. Not a fond memory. Christmas is not special because of songs about chestnuts.

            Christmas is a celebration of Christ and all He desires for you.

A celebration of love

            Special Love came to earth two thousand years ago – eternal love, forgiving love. Genesis reveals God from the start was making ready a time when He would manifest His love in flesh and blood.

            Children are born out of a love relationship between husband and wife. Jesus came out of a love relationship between God and His world. “For God so loved the world….” (John 3:16)

            Unique to Christmas is not only a celebration of the Father’s love but also the Son’s love. Jesus did not have to come; He wanted to come. There was no coercion for Him to give up a throne in heaven and come to earth. Philippians declares He humbled Himself – He emptied Himself of His rightful position, took on human form and became “Immanuel,” God with us.

            Christmas is love in its fullest measure. Without love the meaning of Christmas is lost.

A celebration of giving

            “For God so loved the world that He gave….” (John 3:16) Someone once said, “I have taken commercialism out of Christmas – I no longer give gifts.” Sounds more like a cheapskate. Christmas is giving, a time of year when people think beyond themselves. The world would be a miserable place without “giving” hearts. All forms of stinginess only intensify society’s ills.

            Alleviating human suffering requires more than money, it takes people willingly giving time and talent. As people freely give time to help others, they make church meaningful and beneficial to the community and beyond.

            Be found giving during this celebration of giving. Give testimony of Jesus to those not knowing Him. Give essential items to those in need. Give yourself to others in beneficial ways.

A celebration of sacrifice

            Mary and Joseph sacrificed reputation. The shepherds gave a sacrifice of praise. Simeon and Anna gave a sacrifice of service. The Wise Men sacrificed time and treasures. Jesus sacrificed His life.

            Part of Christmas involves a spirit of sacrifice. You can give a sacrifice of praise when gathering to worship. You can present your life as a living and holy sacrifice to God before neighbors and friends. You can be sacrificially involved in various activities of church and community. You can consistently go beyond the expected and into the realm of sacrifice for His kingdom.

            Jesus gave instruction in the Sermon on the Mount. Do you carry a soldier’s gear for one mile?  No, for two! The first is compulsion, demanded by civil law. The second is testimony, given by divine grace.

            Do we forgive seven times? No! Forgiveness is a lifestyle and done as long as it takes for others to see Jesus.

            Sacrifice will always cost something. Sacrifice may even be agonizing, involving pain similar to the labor pains Mary experienced the first Christmas. This is part of Christmas.

A celebration of joy

            The angels proclaimed, “Good news of a great joy….”

            Think about grumpy Mr. Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic. What makes for a Christmas scrooge is not consumerism or traditions of Santa Claus. A scrooge comes from the loss of genuine joy.

            What changes the heart of a Christmas scrooge is not remembering the past, seeing the present and fearing the future. The human heart is only changed by responding to the Good News of Christmas joy.

            Jesus is the provider of joy – deep-seated, thirst-quenching, load-lightening and soul-satisfying joy. If someone lacks joy at Christmas it is not because of circumstances and situations. Joy comes from the announcement made by angels. Christmas joy embraces the good news about Christ.

A celebration of good will

             Christmas speaks of kind attitudes, of benevolence. The celebration is about wishing others well and being compassionate towards one another. The celebration is about reaching out to those less fortunate and demonstrating they are not forgotten. The celebration is about contacting someone from the past with expressions of gratitude, of saying thanks through Christmas cards to people making a difference in your life.

            The church is a divinely-designed community that cares about others and desires God’s best for everyone. December 25^th and the events leading up to the day gives the world a glimpse at what followers of Jesus are like all year round. Christmas is good will to all, a testimony of faith in God.

A celebration of service

            Jesus came as a servant born in humble surroundings, not royal comfort. His actions were of a servant, not a king. A major statement about His kingship is Servant of all.

            When you think of Christmas, think of service. Mary gave service caring for the defenseless Infant. Simeon gave service dedicating the Child in the temple. Joseph gave service raising the Son of God as his own.

            What kind of service are you giving?

A celebration of peace

            The hope and desire of people around the world is peace. The desire for peace that founded the United Nations is only achievable through the Prince of Peace.

            Some believe peace comes by strength, others believe by abolishing weapons. Before peace can come to earth, it must first come to the human heart. Soothing a troubled nation requires calming a defiant soul.

            There is no peace on earth until everyone stands on common ground. Faith in God is the only common ground providing everlasting peace. The angels declared, “Peace among those with whom He is pleased…peace among those of His good pleasure.”

            Christmas declares peace is attainable through a right relationship with God, becoming pleasing to Him and conforming to His will.

Application

            For many people Christmas is a merry moment and nothing more. To believers Christmas is a year-long celebration of Christ, a celebration of love, giving, sacrifice, joy, good will, service and peace.

            Celebrate Christ! Show the world the nature of Jesus throughout the coming year.