Into the Fire

The spectacular meaning of Christmas can be lost or misplaced by those of us who worship our Savior. We are not immune to the secular version, or even the cynicism, which can accompany this exceptional holiday. Some of us begrudgingly go through the motions of decorating and purchasing gifts, finding no joy in the process. Some of us struggle with losses so overwhelming the Christmas season makes them seem enormous and unbearable. Some of us succumb to the legalistic refusal to embrace the day set aside for Jesus’ birth because it’s speculated he was actually born in March or April and by somehow putting up the tree and decorating with lights, we celebrate a pagan approach to this holy event.

The “traditions of men” referred to in Scripture by Jesus Himself reads as follows:

“He [Jesus] replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.’

“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”
(Mark 7:6-8 NIV)

These verses were in reference to the Pharisees’ complaint about the disciples eating food with “unclean hands”. In His further reply Jesus amplifies the discussion and implies that God is not impressed with man’s version of what is clean and unclean. God is always checking out the heart of man on matters.

This is where we can struggle during this huge Christmas season. I know many who feel “forced” to buy presents for relatives they rarely see except at Christmastime. I know at times I’ve felt guilty receiving a gift from someone who surprised me and felt compelled to rush out and buy a reciprocal gift. Not so anymore. It’s not about buying, it’s about bringing. Bringing joy, smiles and laughter, while conducting a spiritual examination and taking inventory of our relationship with the Holy One. To breathe in the magnitude of what we fail to fully comprehend. To honor someone and something so much greater than ourselves and any human knowledge we’ve acquired. It’s the season of the supernatural and Jesus is the very heartbeat of it.

Extravagance or simplicity? Both remain non-factors when the heart is right with God. The love of Jesus radiates from our countenances because this is a time of celebrating the true famous one (almost a shameless plug)! No one can rob us of this truth. We are mystified by the magnificence of something so unique and strange we can only claim it is our faith which compels us to know its truth. We know Jesus!

There are innumerable posts, articles, television spots, and suggestions from friends, relatives, and pastors, all instructing us on how to reduce the stress of the season. If we could just step back and realize the stress comes from “the traditions of men”, we could tone down whatever it is that drives us to focus outside the miracle of Jesus: God come to earth to save us from our sins. Surely there is nothing more celebratory than this single fact. Our manufactured stress can be replaced by a grateful joy, a silent peace.

The Prince of Peace brought and provided reconciliation to our Creator. He came in as a baby just like us, born to sin-stained parents who did everything they could to follow God throughout the supernatural adventure thrust into their lives. This whole event has never been and will never be equaled.

It’s worth celebrating.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Mankind.