The Christmas Story

One of the classic Christmas movies that a lot of people love to watch is A Christmas Story. Cleverly narrated from a 9-year-old boy’s perspective, of his greatest gift of Christmas, and his attempts to ensure Santa would deliver it. Although his logic wasn’t always right, his passion to have his very own Red Ryder B-B Gun was unmatched. 

That story was told in a way that most of us can probably relate to. The overly anxious feelings as a kid longing to open a special gift on Christmas morning. But there is a gift that is better than all gifts. Something that Paul refers to Isaiah’s words, “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him…” (1 Corinthians 2:9, Isaiah 64:4). 

Yet when the time to receive the gift came, the people who played a part in that story, didn’t recognize the gift for what it was—the ultimate gift. Then again, would we have recognized it? Paul goes on to say in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8, “We declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 

At Christmas time, the story of Christ’s birth is retold and celebrated as the focal point during this season. While His birth is an important event, it’s not at the heart of the Good News. One scholar, Rolf Jacobson, said that “It’s easier to proclaim the gospel through the Christmas story, telling of the birth of a baby and angels announcing peace on earth… than [the story of one who…] ‘suffered, died, and was buried.’ The story of crucifixion takes us through scenes of anger and brutality, of hostility and disgrace. Instead of simply celebrating life, it confronts us with the reality of death.” 

When we try to look into the lives and motives of those surrounding the Cross, it’s fairly easy to categorize the good from the bad, but we need to be careful in doing so. There is a helpful concept held by some, that suggests that the Bible is filled with “stories” about how God interacted with mankind, and how man reacted to His actions. Isaiah reminds us how “[God’s] thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways [like His] ways” (Isaiah 55:8). He has used situations to remind us that we “all are like sheep, have wandered away.” We all have found ourselves in denial of God’s power or even existence. We’ve all let fear control our faith. However, when we can honestly and humbly read the greatest story of redemption, and consider how I have been like Peter, the Pharisees, or Pilate, then perhaps I better appreciate the heart of God and His perfect gift of love. 

What's In A Name?

 What’s in a name? As a Christian, the name of Christ is huge in regards to our salvation. Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Philippians 2:9-10, “God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” John 14:13, Luke 10:17, Romans 10:13, 1 Corinthians 6:11, just to name a few more!

Although we recognize the power in the name of Jesus even though we never met Him physically, many don’t see Him as anything--including the religious leaders in His time. They valued their own name more than the name of the Redeemer.

In the garden of Gethsemane, they seized their opportunity to finally arrest Him and try to erase His name from the people's lips. In reality, people had been whispering the name Messiah soon after the return from exile. They were looking for the one who would bear the name of God.

The hint of God’s powerful kingdom really began to take shape after Jacob left Laban’s homestead with his many wives and children. Their names also help us see something about the people involved in promoting this coming kingdom:

The sons of Leah: Reuben (“Behold, a Son”), Simeon (“God has heard”), Levi (“Joined in Harmony”), Judah (“Praise God”), Issachar (“Man of Reward”), and Zebulun (“A Dwelling Gift”)
The sons of Rachel: Joseph (“God will Add”), and Benjamin (“Son of my Right Hand”)
The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid: Dan (“Judgment”), and Naphtali (“My Struggle”)
The sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid: Gad (“A Coming Troop”), and Asher (“Happy”)

Getting people to hear and believe the nature of God’s kingdom wasn’t easy (and still isn’t), but God didn’t quit. He stayed focused on his plan. His consistency helps us to have faith in Him. His example guides us closer to the truth and our purpose, as Paul stated in Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.”

Prayers for the World

What impact does prayer have on you? Or more importantly, on the people around you? Throughout the Bible, there were many people that prayed for those around them. People like Noah, Abraham, Moses, or Samuel who said in regards to the Israelites’ rebellion against God, in 1 Samuel 12:20-25, “.... As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”

Occasionally, even the kings would pray for the people of Israel. David made several prayers concerning his people; Hezekiah interceded at a very dark time in Israel’s history; in Isaiah 37:16-20, “...Now, Lord our God, deliver us…” But in spite of all the efforts those priests and kings made on behalf of their “brothers,” the people still rebelled and doom and gloom seemed inevitable.

Yet all those failed attempts for redemption and deliverance highlighted the urgency of a savior. Israel, God’s chosen people, didn’t have a future without His intercession. Then Jesus showed up!

He revived hope for God’s chosen people. His power, His love, and His discipleship left a standard that would be felt forever. In Luke 22:39-46, Jesus takes some of His chosen ones up to the mountain to talk to God on their behalf. John 17 beautifully expresses His longing for our deliverance:

“...Now I'm returning to You. I'm saying these things in the world's hearing so My people can experience My joy completed in them. I gave them Your word; the godless world hated them because of it, because they didn't join the world's ways, just as I didn't join the world's ways. I'm not asking that You take them out of the world but that You guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that You gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I'm consecrating Myself for their sakes so they'll be truth-consecrated in their mission. I'm praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in Me because of them and their witness about Me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, so they might be one heart and mind with Us. Then the world might believe that You, in fact, sent Me. The same glory You gave Me, I gave them, so they'll be as unified and together as We are— I in them and You in Me. Then they'll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that You've sent me and loved them in the same way You've loved me. Father, I want those You gave Me to be with Me, right where I am, so they can see My glory, the splendor You gave Me…” (in the Message Translation)

Now, more than ever, we need to consider the power of prayer. James 5:16, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Consider calling some friends, family, or coworkers together to pray for our nation and the spreading of God’s word. 1 Timothy 2:1, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people…”