“Don’t imagine that the world divides naturally into those who can understand what Jesus is saying and those who can’t. By ourselves, none of us can. Jesus was born into a world where everyone was deaf and blind to him. But some, in fear and trembling, have allowed his words to challenge, rescue, heal, and transform them.”
- N.T. Wright (Christianity Today Magazine)
I heard a debate the other day about businesses using “Happy Holiday’s” vs. “Merry Christmas.” The debate continued with the argument that as a society we need to put the “Christ” back in Christmas. In our society we love to argue religion and politics. People get so upset if someone says anything against their own personal beliefs. Around the Christmas season the arguments tend to escalate. This year is no different, because some people celebrate the Birth of Jesus while another group celebrate the season. The secular world and the Christian world collide on this holiday called “Christmas.”
N.T. Wright, Bishop of Durham, helps us understand that even in Jesus day the message of Christ fell on deaf ears. Some believe His message and others do not. Some people saw Jesus for who he was, the Messiah. Others saw him as a threat to their religious structure. The Pharisees had a religious structure where they controlled the schedule, the sacrifices offered, and the community. The governing officials had a tight rein on the religious groups in their region. They did not understand how a baby boy, born in a stable could uproot their whole society.
During this week in advent the scriptures remind us; even during the time of Isaiah, it was prophesied that God would give a sign. The sign was “the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).” Immanuel meaning, “God with Us.” Psalms 80 mentions the phrase or the cry, “Restore us, O God.”
During this week leading up to Christmas, how do you feel? Do you feel tired or exhausted at the end of another year? Has the events of this year been positive, or have you had some moments you wish could be changed? Maybe you lost a loved one. Maybe you had a great year- job promotion, new baby, career change, etc. I find myself reflecting on the past and looking toward the future. No matter where you find yourself this Christmas season- you have a choice on how to respond. Is your cry going to be “Restore us, O God?” Maybe you do not understand how a baby boy, born in a stable could change your life? Are you comfortable, year after year?
The choice is yours- is the story of God going to fall on deaf ears or are you anticipating, like me, how His words are going to challenge, rescue, heal, and transform?
Week 4 Advent scriptures- (Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-10, Romans 1:1-7, and Matthew 1:18-25)
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