Friday, December 30, 2005
Sixth Christmas Day
Matthew 1:23 God (is) with us.
CHRISTMAS IS GOOD!
Christian churches and Christian homes have enjoyed making much of the festival of Jesus' birth, and should continue to do so. For at this time we learn most clearly that Christianity is not a religious system, but it is trust and faith and confidence in a Person, in a Someone, in the Christ, who is my Lord and my God. How rich an experience for the little ones to learn at the Christmas tree and the manger and in their gifts that the Christchild has come to them, to dwell with them, to bless them with His gifts and presence. And how important for us adults that we experience again and again that all the doctrines, all the sacred Scripture, all are important because they witness of Him, lead us into deeper communion with Him.
Among some of our fathers the home celebration of Christmas Eve was more important than the Christmas Eve service at the Church. For the home celebration above all applied the "Word was made flesh" to the individual and the family. He had come into the homes with His blessings; His tree assured everlasting life to those gathered under its limbs; His lights dispelled the darkness. How can God be angry with us who thus unites Himself with us?
What harm can sin and death then do?
The true God now abides with you.
Let hell and Satan rage and chafe;
Christ is your Brother -- ye are safe.
Sometimes we get too excited about the world and the way they celebrate Christmas. But the world is not celebrating this miracle of miracles: God took my flesh and dwells with me. They are just celebrating. But let us be sure we know what we are celebrating. Obviously we cannot use Santa Claus and deprive our children of learning and tasting that the Christ-child is their only Benefactor. Obviously "rushing the season" will hardly teach them that all our joy is connected with His Birthday, His becoming flesh.
Christmas is good when every branch we trim, when every gift we open, when every song we sing tells us one thing over again and again: God is with us.
