Was Jesus Welcome To Stay? – Sunday Thought For The Day

When the shepherds received the announcement of the birth of Jesus, they rushed to Bethlehem to see that “which had the Lord had made known unto” them.  After which, Luke 2:20 tells us: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” (KJV)

This brings me to my point.  Christmas is over.  Many are now waist deep in gift returns and exchanges, toys that have been broken, leftovers from Christmas dinner, debates about who is going to clean up after the new pet that little Johnny or Susie wanted, however, the novelty of receiving the pet wore off faster, than the realization that feeding and cleaning up after it is an enduring responsibility.

But, there is also the leftover turkey and/or ham, leftover pies, cakes, cookies and candy.  There are conversations of how nice it was to see family members and friends; conversations about photos that had been taken so forth and so on, etc., etc.

The remains of wrapping paper, boxes, packages and food are in the trash containers on the sidewalk or at the end of the driveway.  But, the question that demands an answer is: where’s Jesus in our life? and yes, tragically that number includes many who claim the name of Jesus.

It’s a fact that for many who say they’re Christians, the only mention of the day we celebrate as the birth of Christ is in conjunction with the children’s “winter festival” at school, the “holiday” play at church and/or the Christmas Eve service at church.  Many people no longer say “Merry Christmas,” choosing instead to joyously proclaim “happy holidays.”  I could go on, but I doubt it necessary.

In brief, shopping and getting ready for whatever celebrations will be taking place are more important, than why we celebrate the birth of Christ.  How much time is spent talking about and/or sharing the importance of Christ’s birth?  This Christmas I’ve had numerous salespersons tell me that their boss/employer instructed them to say “happy holidays” juxtaposed to “Merry Christmas.”  When people wished me “happy holidays,” I responded that I don’t do holidays.  I say “Merry Christmas.”

If we cannot recognize Christ leading up to and including the day we celebrate as His birth – how on earth are we supposed to recognize/worship Him the rest of the year?

Without the birth of Christ, there could be no salvation.  If we truly love the Lord; If we truly believe He is “God’s only begotten son;” then how can we treat Him with less acknowledgement than we treat the holiday festival at church and/or the winter festival at the school, public or otherwise, that our children attend?

I truly love the Lord.  Without Him I would be nothing.  Without Him I can do nothing.  If we say we’re Christians, we must reach the point in our walk with Christ, that He is central to every facet of our life.  We glorify, praise and testify of what He has done and is doing in our lives.

But, for many, He’s an infinitesimal part of our Christmas, if that, and then He’s packed off until the next “holiday season.”

True reverential respect, awe and worship of Christ is becoming less and less a tangible part of Christmas for many people, “churchgoers” included.  Just how much was Jesus a part of your family dinners, gatherings and church.  And let there be no doubt, that Christ isn’t part of a church that’s led by and/or attempts to bless the behavior God calls an abomination.

It bothers me to hear people prattle on about how cute the children were in the “holiday play, winter festival” or whatever it’s called in many churches, but show no such enthusiasm for Christ.  Then again, how can the people believe if the preacher doesn’t?

The question we need truthfully answer is: Just how much of Christmas was Christ welcomed in our homes and more specifically, how much of Christ in truth was a part of our Church?

That first Christmas, the shepherds returned “glorifying and praising God.”  Just how much are we glorifying and praising God for “the good tidings of great joy” of Him born on Christmas Day?

And for those who glorify themselves by regurgitating rhetoric they’ve picked up along the way about Christmas not being the day Christ was born; What day do you celebrate as the birth of Christ?  Not having a day to recognize as the birth of Christ is synonymous with not having a Savior.

READ:

Luke 2:15-20 (KJV)

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.