Thursday, January 5, 2006
Twelfth Christmas Day
Psalm 93:1 The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength.
A TRUE MERRY CHRISTMAS
We try desperately to capture the joy of Christmas. "What kind of Christmas will it be without any toys?" our children ask us. Are gifts under a tree the secret of a merry Christmas? Our children open one gift, but want another, and still another. They are not satisfied but become more greedy. The merry Christmas has a way of ending in disgust.
Could it be we are trying to celebrate Christmas by just celebrating? Who told us that eats and drinks, toys and gifts will give us happiness? The Christmas angels tell us where to find it. Our happiness lies in a manger at Bethlehem. But all we find is a baby. Yet not just another baby. This infant is "robed in majesty, he is girded with strength," (Psalm 93:1). He is the King who rules forever.
We have such need of Him. When the glory of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, they were terrified. The holiness of God exposes us as sinful people. And we are afraid, terrified at God's punishment. This is what robs us of any joy no matter how many the gifts under a Christmas tree.
From the glory of God come the words: "Unto you is born a Savior." The holiness that brings wrath and destruction promises help, forgiveness, peace, joy, life. The Holy, Holy, Holy has so loved us that He gave His Son to be our Child. Our Child is the mighty King who is able to bear our sins, rescue us from our death, put the powers of darkness to rout for us.
Without Him we are helpless. Disease and war, famine and poverty, greed and cruelty, envy and bitterness, injustice and tyranny so harass our lives. Like a flood they roar against us and threaten to overwhelm us in destruction.
With Him cradled in our hearts we have happiness. Do not leave this gift of God unopened this Christmas. Let all the gifts you open remind you of this one Gift. Your Christmas will be merry.
