Christmas

So, this morning I had an idea and I googled "college ministries in Tampa, Fl" and the results were staggering...

As I looked through the top results, I can honestly say that there really isn't much out there for people in there 20's. What a shame.

But, onto other things... this holiday season I have been doing a lot of thinking, and replaying every Christmas Eve service I have ever been to. And for those of you who know me, once Black Friday hits all that plays on my radio is Christmas music - so I have heard a lot of the typical Christmas carols... why have we as Christians watered down what this season represents?

We sing songs like "Silent Night", "Little Drummer Boy", "We Three Kings", and others that sure sound great and make me feel warm and fuzzy - but have you stopped to think about what this season represents????

God, not someone like god, or someone aspiring to be god, GOD HIMSELF put on flesh to live as we live to save us from ourselves. We had done everything we could to be His Enemy and despite our best efforts to push God away, He would not forsake us. He gave up being worshipped and rather than just being omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, he added to his attributes... humanity (thank you Mr. Driscoll). As I have been replaying the Christmas story in my head, I had a bit of an epiphany - it was not a silent night when Jesus was born!

I was praying through the Christmas story the other day - and I had a picture come to my head of a baby that had literally not even been born yet, but the story of his life was written, REJECTION. Jesus is still in his mom's womb and is being rejected everywhere he goes. I saw an angry stepdad, whose just trying to care for his preggers wife, and go pay an unfair, unjust tax. I think the night Jesus was born, just about everything that could go wrong for that young couple - did!

As I thought about the angels that praised God, I wonder did they come to earth to make sure that their King was okay... think about it - God, whom you worship, love, respect, adore and live for - leaves the presence of the angels to save humanity... his strategy starts in a poor town, in a trough. I wonder if the angels came to make sure everything was okay, and when they saw that it was - they praised God, because that's what angels do. I wonder if for a time, there was silence in heaven, as the angels stood - battle ready, and prepared to fight for their King if something should go wrong. I think that the tension the night Jesus was born, was rather high in heaven... as they wanted to praise and protect their Lord, as he began his life of humility and sacrifice.

So, as I processed all of this - something occurred to me... every Christmas eve service I have ever been to, has been rather watered down, and every play I have seen has been about a cute fat little baby, in a cradle -while the parents look on with joy... when in reality, I think that a true Christmas eve service, should be brutally honest - that this story begins and ends with a rejected Savior, who humbly came to serve and sacrifice His own life. You should not have a Christmas eve service and should not go throughout this holiday season without thinking about that which Jesus left behind to come and be rejected - for you! This season, let the gospel of Jesus Christ ring true in your home, in your life, at your work, as you fight the crowds. It is not about presents, it is not about a tree, or crappy songs on the radio... even if I don't get my Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas - the TRUE meaning of Christmas is that Jesus' life and longsuffering road of rejection begins, so that I can be accepted before the Father! Let that be our spirit this holiday season!