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| (Photo cred: WaIting for the Word "Shepherds 25") |
In
those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the
entire Roman world...And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up…to Bethlehem the town
of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was
pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the
baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a
manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)
This past year has been my
first opportunity to lead worship and preach God’s Word year-round. In doing this, I have experienced the changes
that different seasons bring. Obviously
there are changes to the weather, but seasons also have an effect on the body
of people that gather on Sundays to worship.
Snowbirds head to the southwest before returning several months
later. Families take off for vacations
once school has let out for the summer. Parents find time to travel to visit their
adult children who have moved to other parts of the country. At different times we have experienced celebration,
and other times loss and mourning.
Having been able to get settled
in one place, I am getting used to the rhythm of how life operates here. We can expect what will probably happen, we
know what needs to happen, and we think about what we can look forward to. Yet there are always events that, when they
take place, surprise and cause us to pause.
For a time, we find ourselves putting things on hold, but quite often
moving on again somewhat quickly. When
something out of the ordinary occurs, we tend to adapt our routines however
necessary.
In the life of the church,
we have certain times each year that cause us to pause. There are certain times and days that have
special significance, days like Good Friday and Easter, and of course, what is
just ahead, Christmas. We may not be
celebrating them on the most accurate historical dates, but they are days on
which we recognize that long ago, pivotal events in the timeline of history
took place that cannot be overlooked.
While we find ourselves
paying special attention on these “holidays,” or holy days, it is striking how
almost invisible they were when they occurred.
Last week’s meditation focused on the shepherds, who according to the
Scriptures were the only ones to have any type of supernatural proclamation
happen to them on Christmas night. The
Magi tracked a star, Herod took actions to eliminate any threats to his throne,
and prophecies came before and in the events after the birth of Jesus but on
this night when the Son of God came into our world, it was barely noticed.
Bethlehem was packed with
visitors, likely bringing nostalgia of how great a city it once had been. All of the past residents were home for the
census. If it was like our towns and
cities today, the traffic was busier, the restaurants more crowded, the lines
at the census office resembled The Empire Mall’s check-out lines on Christmas
Eve. At the end of the day, everyone was
tuckered out and fast asleep. Unknown to
them, a baby boy had been born, and this was the Savior, Christ the Lord!
As we stop and remember
that event, looking back on the greatest gift that we could ever receive coming
into reality, we must continue to live the spirit of Advent and look forward as
well. A day is coming when our Savior
will return! We do not know the day or the
season in which he will come. What we do
know from Scripture is that it will be sudden.
Some will be sleeping; some will be working. Some will be serving the Lord; others leading
lives of unrepentant and unashamed sin.
During his ministry Jesus told his followers, “So you also must be
ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him”
(Matthew 24:44).
As we decorate our homes
and churches, give and receive gifts, and enjoy this season let us be sure that
we are not only dressing up the outside.
We must not make everything
appear nice while forgetting about what is inside of us. When Jesus comes this time, it will be noticed
by all. There will be no more time for
preparation or riding the fence. By his
grace, he will gather only those whom have repented and put their faith and
hope in him, “the elect.”
If we are among those,
then we will have readied ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit, by knowing
and living in his grace. If that is the
case, then we can look at that day with such great hope! But if you are not ready, if you find
yourself only looking at the present time, celebrating the festivities of the
season without paying much attention to the Christ of Christ-mas, will you ask
God to help you prepare for what is to come?
He is willing and able to take away your sin and to help you live in
gratitude for his free gift of salvation!
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