Have you noticed that? Most people LOVE to celebrate Christmas. What's not to love? Candy, family time, a jolly old man bringing gifts, and a cute baby in a stable. It's a very user-friendly holiday.
Have you also noticed that fewer people get excited about Easter? And much of Easter's excitement hinges on a furry bunny who brings candy. It's a nice thought; bunnies are cute. Bunnies are user-friendly.
It's nice to think of a baby Savior born. Babies are cute, too. It's harder to celebrate the death of a radical man who loved the unlovable and challenged the cultural norms of piety in His day. It's painful to meditate on an undeserved death in place of our own. It's mind-blowing to fathom that Jesus was raised again and will return to reign over all for eternity in a new, perfect world.
I love Christmas; really I do! But if Jesus had simply been born, lived his life quietly, and died an old man, my life would be very different today. My faith, my life, and my hope revolve around the truth and the power of His death and Resurrection.
As you celebrate Christmas, I pray that you find joy in His birth and look forward with hope and gratitude for His death and resurrection, too.
He was born to live. He was born to die. He was born to live again. He was born to save the world. Marvel. Hope. Believe.
"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:6-7
This is Christmas.
1 comments:
I agree. A friend just shared a book recently that I'm excited about for Easter. Here is the link
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0687062799/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d21_g14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-6&pf_rd_r=0Y1E2XKX0C3K3AHZ5D29&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938731&pf_rd_i=507846
Did that work? The name of the book is The Lenten Tree by Dean Smith. I'm going to set it up like I do our Jesse Tree and hopefully build in our family the "rest of the story." Hope you had a super Christmas! Happy New Year!!!
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