Two weeks ago I was visiting friends in Central California. I took a walk around their neighborhood on Sunday afternoon, and I was admiring the homes that were decorated for the coming Christmas holiday. I saw every kind of decoration imaginable. Gone are the days when multicolored Christmas lights (a number 10 bulb, of course) framed every house. I miss hearing the sounds of cursing when an entire string of lights went out just because one bulb failed. And it was always the string at the peak of the roof on the second story. My childhood prepared me for what I would hear on the deck of my first ship.
But, the one decoration above all, including the white wire frame reindeer whose head went up and down or the giant inflatable Frosty the Snowman or the white blinking lights whose period looked like the approach to LAX, was a picture of Santa Claus with the words "BELIEVE" hanging underneath it. I think this sentiment is taken from the movie Miracle on 34th Street, in which Natalie Wood's character, Susan Walker, says, "I believe ... I believe ... it's silly, but I believe."
I was totally fascinated by this decoration, and I waited outside the house hoping that someone would come out. I wanted to ask them, "What should I believe, and why should I believe?" After standing there for a few minutes I realized that a stranger standing in front of a home in the late afternoon might raise interest that I did not want. Besides, there was a California Highway Patrol car park in the driveway.
As I have been thinking about this over the last two weeks, I have gained a better appreciation of people who want to believe, and always end up saying, "It's silly, but I still want to believe." We live in an age when the truth that people have relied on is proven to be unreliable. We are surrounded by skeptics and cynics who declare that there is no truth, failing to see that such an utterance is a complete contradiction. We live in an age that is white unto harvest.
It is altogether too easy to argue to keep Christ in Christmas. The greater need is to tell people why Christ matters in Christmas. It is altogether too easy to be swept away with the sentiment of the season. The greater need is to tell people that this Child was born to take away the sins of His people. It is altogether too easy to be impressed by Nativity plays and creches. The greater need is to glory in the Cross. It is altogether too easy to be lulled by the serenity of the Child and his mother. The greater need is to tell people that this Child was such a threat, even as an infant, that Herod ordered the slaughter of every male child under the age of two.
We have a great opportunity to tell people of the manger and the Cross. Let's not squander it.
But, the one decoration above all, including the white wire frame reindeer whose head went up and down or the giant inflatable Frosty the Snowman or the white blinking lights whose period looked like the approach to LAX, was a picture of Santa Claus with the words "BELIEVE" hanging underneath it. I think this sentiment is taken from the movie Miracle on 34th Street, in which Natalie Wood's character, Susan Walker, says, "I believe ... I believe ... it's silly, but I believe."
I was totally fascinated by this decoration, and I waited outside the house hoping that someone would come out. I wanted to ask them, "What should I believe, and why should I believe?" After standing there for a few minutes I realized that a stranger standing in front of a home in the late afternoon might raise interest that I did not want. Besides, there was a California Highway Patrol car park in the driveway.
As I have been thinking about this over the last two weeks, I have gained a better appreciation of people who want to believe, and always end up saying, "It's silly, but I still want to believe." We live in an age when the truth that people have relied on is proven to be unreliable. We are surrounded by skeptics and cynics who declare that there is no truth, failing to see that such an utterance is a complete contradiction. We live in an age that is white unto harvest.
It is altogether too easy to argue to keep Christ in Christmas. The greater need is to tell people why Christ matters in Christmas. It is altogether too easy to be swept away with the sentiment of the season. The greater need is to tell people that this Child was born to take away the sins of His people. It is altogether too easy to be impressed by Nativity plays and creches. The greater need is to glory in the Cross. It is altogether too easy to be lulled by the serenity of the Child and his mother. The greater need is to tell people that this Child was such a threat, even as an infant, that Herod ordered the slaughter of every male child under the age of two.
We have a great opportunity to tell people of the manger and the Cross. Let's not squander it.
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
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