December the 10th! We are headed for Christmas day at a full gallop. The commercials seem to be more numerous, and somewhat befuddling. The message that is sent out is that if you really love someone....I mean a real-red-alert-die-for-you love someone, then you'll buy them a new mattress, diamond ring, or at least a new car or truck.
Me? I try to keep things in balance. In other words, I don't drink the world's kool-aid, and I don't eat from the plate of religion. I recognize that Christmas is actually a two sided coin that is presented each year.
The world shows us non-descript shepherds, neatly lounging around their campfire in the latest offering from Northside. While the other side (and the truth) is that these men were considered by society to less than desirable. They were among the lowest of the low. Don't you find it strange that we virtually know nothing about this group? We don't know their names....
We don't know their history....
We don't know their history....
Yet The God of the Universe chose these men to announce the birth of His Son.
A message of good tidings and great joy....
A SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN!
Then there is the matter of the two parents of Jesus...
About the only thing these two had goin on was the fact that they could
trace their genealogy according to the temple records. Very important to someone who lived during that time.
Never mind that these two were as poor as Job' turkey.
Never mind that these two were as poor as Job' turkey.
Luke 2:24 tells us that Mary and Joseph, after the birth of Jesus, came to the Temple to offer their sacrifice in keeping with the Law of the Lord.
What was their offering? A bull? A sheep? A goat? Nope.
A pair of doves (they might have been pigeons.)
This was the very least a person could offer and fulfill the Law.
The thing about this event of the birth of Jesus is that the spiritual darkness of this world was stirred by His appearance.
As much as Marry, Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah, celebrated the birth of Jesus and John....The world sought to destroy them.
Jesus birth, as joyful as it was too Mary and Joseph, unleashed a hellish dash by Herod's soldiers to destroy this new born king.
Mother's all over the region sat, weeping and wailing, holding the lifeless bodies of their sons in their arms.
Funny how we do not see this on any commercials.
Hatred is easily hidden under the garments of religion.
SO when you find yourself singing "Joy To The World", keep in mind the song
doesn't say "Joy From The World."
It is the Joy of the Lord that split the darkness that Judean night in a stable.
A place that smelled of dung and urine, and animals, was the palace chosen by God to bring forth the greatest King of kings this world has ever known.
Let the birth of Christ be a starting point from which you set out this coming year to know Him better. In the process, you'll probably learn something about yourself.
Merry Christmas from Vicki and Michael
The Bynum's
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