Green Pastures and Still Waters
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I’m not a Scrooge but if we are honest, Jesus is not “the reason for the season.” The early church didn’t celebrate Jesus’ birthday, they remembered His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. If you study the history of the entire Christmas hubbub you’ll find that it originally had very little to do with Jesus. But I really don’t want to get hung up on that stuff because even though there are pagan roots to this Holiday there are pagan roots to a lot of things that we have embraced as a culture, we could get worn out fighting them all. We are in the world but we are not of it. We can celebrate this season culturally and still rise above it spiritually. Our challenge as Christ followers is not to fight the culture but rather to keep our minds set on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Let’s work hard to keep Christ in this season. The Advent remembrance helps with that challenge. These weeks before Christmas can be used to remember Biblical themes like Hope, Faith, Joy, Peace and Love. Whether people realize it or not, these are the things that people are really looking for. Hope etc. will not be found in Santa, Frosty or Rudolph. The reality of these themes will not be found in giving or receiving gifts. Hope, Faith, Joy, Peace and Love are found ultimately in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He is the One who came to bring life. So I’ll not “bah-humbug” the culture or those who lean on it this season. I will however be looking for opportunities to point people to the One who can give them real meaning this season. I hope you’ll join us in that endeavor. Merry Christmas!
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Now there’s a weird phrase. It comes from Romans 4:18 (NIV) “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." It means that Abraham had no natural reason to hope. Most people would have thought him to be crazy for having confidence that he and Sarah would still have a child. Verse 21 reminds us that Abraham “was fully convinced that what God had promised He was able to perform.” That is biblical “hope”. It is not “hope-so” hope based upon personal desires but “know-so” hope built upon God’s promises. We live in a world that is becoming increasingly hope-less. This is largely due to the fact that people have put their hope in that which cannot ultimately deliver what they need or desire. When people put their hope in the economy, the government or whatever “system” they may need to get what they want, it always disappoints. I think the problems in Ferguson are much deeper than what is getting all the attention. People are without hope. When hope is gone, despair sets in and when despair takes over anger is soon to follow. People decide to take things into their own hands. Logic and common sense are jettisoned and mob mentality rules. My heart aches for all the people of that area. But, a different verdict would not have ultimately changed the situation. It’s true that jobs would help, it’s true that equity would help and it’s true that valuing people regardless of skin color or economic status would help. However, what would really help is hope. What is really needed is confidence that God is Father, that He is good, that He will care for us and that we can wait on Him. Where there is no transcendent hope one must take things into one’s own hands. The advent season is upon us and the first week of advent is about hope. We cannot live without hope but through Emmanuel we have hope for every area of life. Diane and I saw hope last week in an African land where the unemployment rate is 80%, where AIDS and poverty are more common than colds in Michigan. Genuine hope in a good God who promises a better destination and eternal life has a transforming effect on those who believe. Is your hope in the Lord?