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Christmas in the Bull’s- eye
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Matthew 2:16 “Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.”
There is no season like the Christmas season. It is filled with wonder, joy, goodwill, and, well, something magical. What is it about the Christmas mystique that has held such a grip on the world all these centuries? I believe it is the aura of the miraculous that surrounds it—the miracle of angels, of a strange and mysterious star, of wise men traveling from afar, and of a virgin with child. Christmas is that time of year when our thoughts are carried beyond the dull monotony of daily life and transported into the realm of supernatural possibilities. And, no wonder! For Christmas is the celebration of a startling invasion from heaven. Somehow, someway, God Almighty chose to wrap Himself in human skin and become one of us. He voluntarily entered the restrictions of time and space, of dust and dirt, of human pain and suffering, and walked among us. In the body of Jesus Christ He sweated, He wept, He laughed, He worked, He studied, and He slept. And beyond all comprehension, He allowed His own creation to crucify Him on a cross of shame in order to purchase our salvation from sin and its dire consequences. It’s no surprise, then, that from the get-go the arch foe of mankind placed Christmas in his hellish crosshairs. Obliterating the truth surrounding Christmas—a virgin’s womb and an empty tomb—became the devil’s dark dream. Wipe out all children two years old and under in a fiendish attempt to kill the Christ? No problem. Try to exterminate the Jewish race several times in the Old Testament period to prevent His arrival? No big deal. Anything to stop the reason for the season—the salvation of fallen man. But, thank God, nothing worked. Christ was born on that first momentous Christmas morn in a lowly feeding trough in a darkened barnyard behind a hotel that had no room for Him. The world knew nothing of it. But, the angels rejoiced as they peered over heaven’s gates in wonder. And now, here we are, twenty-one centuries later. While millions around the world still celebrate the historic miracle of Christmas, the forces of darkness are trying to muzzle even the mention of the word Christmas. Employees of major department stores are instructed to say “Happy Holidays,” as opposed to “Merry Christmas,” so that no one is offended. And we are lectured that there should be no nativity scenes in public squares, Christmas plays in our children’s schools, or mention of Christ at public gatherings, lest we be “insensitive” to other’s beliefs. It all reminds me of when Pilate was handing out orders to the guards who were concerned about the dead body of Jesus being stolen away at night. He said, “You have soldiers for guard duty. Go and make it as secure as you know how” (Matthew 27:65). In other words, be doubly sure there is no way He can be stolen away by His disciples, lest they claim He was resurrected. Similarly, the current crop of atheistic, agnostic grinches and grouches of our day parrot the same thing—Go and make it as secure as you know how. “Be sure,” they intone, “that the Christ child is not recognized, honored, or worshipped. If we must blame it on the possibility of ‘offending’ others, that will do. Whatever it takes to keep a lid on it.” But truth is like a jack-in-the-box. Push it down with all of your might and it will suddenly pop back out just the same. It’s Christmas time and you can’t keep it down! The time is here to celebrate the historic fact that “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him won’t perish but will have eternal life” (John 3:16). Let’s shout it from the housetops and declare it for all to hear. This is the season to celebrate the mystery of a miracle. Our Savior was born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord! Pastor Jeff |
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