Jesus is born. Now what?

There is this time in the calendar year when it seems that a lot of things just plain shut down.  It's that week between Christmas and New Year.  While quite a few businesses are open (after all, profit is god for so many), so many things are closed down.  Schools, more than a few businesses, and even many church events shut down, essentially.  A lot of church staff take time off to recharge, recouperate, and recover.

That can leave you with a sense of, Jesus is born.  Now what?  The thing is, the accounts of Jesus' life in the Gospels can even lend themselves to this kind of thinking.  If you have ever read them, you might notice that Jesus' birth is only mentioned in two, and only one of those goes into any kind of an extended look at the birth and His childhood.  By the time we hit chapter 3 in Luke's Gospel (the most extended look at Jesus' birth and childhood), we already have Jesus full grown, beginning His itenerant ministry.

Traditionally, this period of time is when we observe the twelve days of Christmas.  Perhaps you never knew where that came from.  That's the period of time between Christmas and the day we observe called Epiphany (some others call it Three Kings Day, as observance of the Magi coming to see Jesus).  From then on, we begin to see Jesus revealing who He is, which the Magi do as they bring gifts appropriate for the King of the Jews. 

So, Jesus is born.  Now what?  Now we focus on what He came to do.  Part of that means that He has to show who He really is, with His teachings and His miracles.  These are to point to who He is, and not to describe God as just someone who does whatever we want Him to do.  Jesus' miracles have a very specific purpose: to show that He is the Son of God, as had been promised.

Jesus is born.  Now what?  Now get ready to see Him for Who He really is.  King of Kings, Lord of Lords, come to serve and to pay the price to redeem a sinful, fallen world.

A Season of Excessive Obligation

"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?"  Matthew 5:46-47

Let's all admit it.  There is one part of this Advent season, leading up to Christmas, that so many of us genuinely dislike.  I will call it the Sense of Obligation.  Here is what it looks like.  You get your Christmas cards all printed out and in the mail.  Suddenly the next day, you get a card in the mail from someone to whom you didn't send a card.  What do you do?  For many of us, we feel this sense of obligation to send them a card.  After all, we can't have it seeming that we mean more to them than they mean to us, right?

Sure, this is something we deal with throughout the year, but this time of year it seems to hit particularly strongly.  If you get a gift from someone, don't you almost feel obligated to get them on in return?  (And think, the concept of a gift is that it is something given without any sense of return on the part of the person receiving it.  So if you are giving a gift with the expectation that you will get one in return, you aren't really giving a gift.  You are giving an obligation, a debt, that you are expecting to be repaid.)  During this season, though, with the giving of many gifts and the catching up of the year, it seems to hit particularly powerfully.

As you read the verses above from Jesus' sermon on the mount, you kind of get a sense of what He thought of these kinds of obligation.  He just doesn't seem to be that fond of them.  After all, it doesn't show any kind of compassion toward others, since they don't really need what you are giving them.  It's easy to love those who love you.  But what about those who give you trouble, or who are thorns in your side?  It's easy to greet the people who are friendly to you, but what about that person that shuns you, or the kind of person that you may be afraid of, or that you are suspicious of?  That truly starts to intrude into the realm of grace, which should show us something, since grace does make us uneasy in just how stringless it really is.

Just imagine adding a line like this to your card next year.  "If you are getting this, and you didn't have us on your list, please do not feel obligated to send something back.  We are simply wanting to share our life with you, and are glad that you are part of it, even if you may not share that same sense of connectedness."  True, this sense of obligation is so ingrained in us that the person receiving it probably would still feel obligated to send something back, but it gets back to the whole "freely sharing" of oneself, which is really what Christmas is all about, Jesus freely giving of Himself to make us right with God.

Does God Repel People?

"After this, many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him."  John 6:66

As we journey this season of Advent to the manger and celebrate the birth of Jesus, one thing we often see is that a lot of people come to celebrate the day in worship.  Typically, there are two times of the year when quite a few people who claim to be Christian will attend worship: Christmas and Easter.  Two big days, to be sure, and when you think of it, these are two days where we celebrate big things that God has done, the first in sending His Son into the world, and the second, when the Son wins the victory of death and the grave.

Yes, we love to hear those kind of themes.  We love to hear that God loves us, which is probably why John 3:16 is the most well-known Bible verse.  And it is an undeniable fact.  God does love this world, and especially His human creation. Yes, it is significant that God's Son was born in the manger in Bethlehem.  Yes, it is extremely significant that God's Son rose from the dead.

Yet, God would also have us know that there is much more to Him than those three things we've hit on so far.  In fact, I would actually encourage you to read through the whole chapter of John 6 to get an idea of why the verse quoted above came about.  Jesus taught some hard things.  He taught things that don't make sense to human ears.  And in this, He very much shows us His nature as God.

There is much that God chooses not to explain to us.  If you ever read through the book of Job, one thing should stand out in the end: God doesn't explain why the things that happened to Job happened.  When Jesus encounters the man born blind later in John's account of the Gospel, Jesus says that the man was born blind to demonstrate God's glory (think for a moment about being born with a significant handicap, so that Jesus could demonstrate who He is by your healing.  For many of us, we wouldn't really want that, right?).  Throughout the Scriptures, God says that His people are going to suffer, and many even die, for being His people.

That kind of thing doesn't exactly serve to draw people closer to God, at least on the surface.  In fact, it would seem to be the kind of thing that, if you focused exclusively on it, would repel people.  Shoot, even bringing it up will repel a lot of people, who don't want to think that God might use hard times, trials, and even suffering and death to advance His message of Good News.  Is it that God wants them repelled?  No, but He also knows that His will and design isn't going to be universally adored, sadly.

Does God repel people?  Well, yes, if you think that some people are always going to be repelled by the truth, and by having high standards.  Yet, that is the God who reveals Himself to us, but who holds Himself to that high standard, as He redeemed us through the Son's life, suffering, death, and resurrection.  Thanks be to God for that!

Are you ready?

Prepare the way!  Preyare the way of the Lord!  The voice cries out, "In the wilderness, prepare a way!"  Throughout Advent, that theme resounds.  God is coming.  God's Servant is coming.  God will come and render justice to the nations, and to all people, for their wrong.  God is coming to make the wrongs right, and to turn injustice into justice.  God is coming.  Prepare the way!

God gave His people a lot in order to prepare them for when He would come crashing into this world.  But for a moment, consider this.  How many people were there, waiting to welcome Jesus, God's servant, at His birth?  None.  No one, it seemed, was ready.  Okay, so you might say that the shepherds were there, but why did they make their way to the manger?  Because God's messengers announced the birth and told them to go to Bethlehem to see Jesus.  Without that, they would have contentedly watched their sheep that night, oblivious to the significance of that infant and His birth.

Wise men, or Magi, you say?  They had to follow a star.  Were they watching the skies because they thought God was about to send His servant, or did they happen to see something new in the heavens and go?  Well, we aren't told the answer to that, but it would seem that the star had more to do with it than the infant Himself.

God's people in Israel?  They sure didn't seem to see it coming.  Shoot, the inhabitants of the town that had been spoken of as the birthplace of the King couldn't even find room for His pregnant mother and her fiance.  Despite the sheer volume of warnings and preparations that God had given, they didn't seem to be ready.

Are you ready?  Okay, now it's a bit of a different question.  After all, Jesus' first coming has already taken place, and we see how those seemingly clear Scripture references look very clear in hindsight.  But what about for His final coming, in power, with judgment in hand?  Are you ready?

The good thing is, you can say yes to that, even if you may not be living every day as though it could be the day of Jesus' reappearance.  Jesus has lived, died, and risen for you.  Though you may not consciously be thinking about Jesus' reappearance every moment, by faith you are prepared.  Yes, it's very likely that His second appearance will still catch us all off guard, just like His first.  When we look back at what all He said about that time, we may wonder how we missed it.  Regardless, you have the assurance that you are ready, because you believe that, what Jesus did, He did for you. 

What about God and Dishonor?

From yesterday's blog.  "Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?"  Romans 9:21


Yesterday I wrote a bit about God and the clay that He molds.  I talked about how that can be a painful thing for the clay, and how I have seen that at work in my life quite frequently.  But I also included the above verse from Romans 9, about how the potter makes some clay into honorable use vessels, and others into vessels for dishonorable use.  So let's talk about that a little today.

What would be a vessel for dishonorable use?  Well, think about some of the ceramic fixtures in your house that you don't exactly show off a lot.  Maybe the first one to jump to mind is found in your bathroom.  Let's face it, going to the bathroom is not exactly something that springs to mind when we think about honorable use.  We treat it with more modesty, hiding it behind closed doors, precisely for that reason: it isn't the most honorable thing in our house.

So, if God molds the clay, and some of it is for honorable use, and others for dishonorable use, then what would be those vessels of dishonorable use?  Or, to put it in a slightly different way, what would be the equivalent of the toilet when God fashions people?  A necessary part of life in this world, but not exactly one that we are proud to admit that we need to use, or that we even really want to admit to having to use.  So what would be the people equivalent of that?

Well, God does actually paint a few pictures of that for us.  Think about Pharoah at the time of the Exodus.  God actually speaks that He put Pharoah in charge so that He could demonstrate His power in freeing His people.  Pharoah would seem to be a vessel for dishonorable use.  Or, at the time of the exile, when God would utilize the Babylonian army to destroy the temple, Jerusalem, and Judah, eventually to bring about their downfall because they overshot what God had given them to do.  It may seem that they were set up for a dishonorable purpose, to be God's sword against His people, only to be discarded for what they had done.

The point I basically make is really the same as yesterday.  If God decides to do that, what can we really say against it?  Can we say that He is wrong to do such things, especially as it serves the purpose of His will and design?  Can we say He is wrong in that at all?  After all, who are we to question the one who makes us, and who has His design for our role in the grand scheme of things?

Really, I think it boils down to this one thing.  How comfortable are we with really saying, believing, and knowing that God is the one who gets to call the shots, and we really don't have much say in the matter?  But don't we say that our lives are in His hands, and that He should do with us what He sees fit?  What if He decided that you were to be a vessel of dishonorable use?  Would you still be able to say, "Praise the Lord"?  If not, what would be getting in the way of that?  It's a thought well worth thinking about. 

The Pain of the Clay

"But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand."  Isaiah 64:8

"Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?"  Romans 9:21

"Daddy, make a ball for me."  That was the request of my three year old the other day, as she played with some play-doh.  So I dutifully rolled a ball out for her.  However, she noticed that there was a small "crack" in it, where it had folded over on itself, and I hadn't done an adequate job of getting rid of the "crack".  So she made me roll another one, watching as I squeezed it and pushed it, making sure that it was one solid ball, rather than just several clumps of play-doh pressed together.

At times, it seems that I find God doing much that same thing to me.  He takes this lump of play-doh or clay, and He mashes it together according to His will and design.  Now, I have never heard the play-doh scream out in pain when I've rolled it or pressed it before.  However, it does seem to me that, when God is doing that same thing in my life, it can be rather painful.

There are times in life where I think I have discovered something that looks promising, and then God shows me how He wants the thing to be formed by having me ask others about what I am considering.  Quite often, I have discovered that other people have insights or viewpoints that I had not considered, which sometimes means that the "brilliant" thing I am considering needs considerable refinement.  That is painful, especially to the ego, though I admit that it is a pain that I take rather willingly and joyfully, especially as it pertains to God's kingdom and His people.

There are other times where it seems that God is intent on pressing me in an effort for me to realize just how resiliant He created me to be.  Stringing together nights of little sleep, caring for children who suffer from illness, God has, on a few occasions, shown me just how resilient He created me to be.  I have been amazed how much I have been able to do after nights of only 2-3 hours of interrupted sleep.  The pain of the clay, but done willingly (not always joyfully) for the good of other loved ones.

Let's face it.  It hurts when God forms us.  And yet, I would dare to suggest that this is necessary pain.  How can we be the creation that He intends for us to be if we aren't open to His pressing, pushing, and pounding?  Yes, He loves us with love beyond measure, but He also intends to form us into something incredible in His eyes, and that involves us being formed.  (I actually think this is a great challenge for the men of God, and men in general.  How manly is it to run from the pain of being formed, and how much more manly is it to stand up and be formed by the God of all creation?)

The thing is, being God's vessel means letting Him do with the clay what He wants.  It may even seem that He is forming us to be a vessel of dishonorable use (maybe tomorrow I'll write about that one a bit, because it seems significant).  And you know what?  That's okay.  It's still Him forming us, and when we are formed into what He wants us to be, I dare say we will find ourselves closer to Him than if we resist His formation, even if it would save us a little pain.

It's neither left nor right

As you likely have heard, there was another mass shooting here in our nation again yesterday.  I actually looked up some statistics earlier today, which pointed out that, in our nation this year, this marked day 209 in which there was a shooting killing and/or injuring at least two people.  That means that, no matter what, this year is going to have more days in which death or injury happened by gun than days that didn't contain such an event.

The aftermath of such events, especially if you happen to watch the news, is fairly predictable.  One side of the political spectrum will call for tighter gun control laws, and the other will argue that such laws don't truly hit at the problem and therefore, the rights of Americans shouldn't be infringed upon.  That's the standard response now in our nation, in this day and age, at this time. 

However, I have a different question.  How should we as Christians respond?  The truth is, when we witness such things, as Christians, we should realize that neither the left nor the right offer up any alternatives that will actually work.  That's because both attempt to work within the realm of this world, in a nation that is filled with sinful people.  And no matter what solution you may try, when sinful people are involved, sinful outcomes are always going to be what comes, no matter how well-thought out the solution may seem.

Sure, it sounds good to tighten up laws on how people come to own guns.  However, this rarely serves the purpose of keeping guns out of the hands of those who are dangerous.  Likewise, while it may sound all good and right that, the more people who have guns in their possession, the more that can stand up to those who would bring harm, the reality is that I haven't heard of a single instance where any of these shooters were brought down by a law-abiding, gun carrying citizen. 

The problem from both the left and the right is that they are seeking solutions within the world's realm that simply cannot deal effectively with the problem.  The problem is that we humans are sinful.  When we are isolated, cut off, or hurt, we often respond by lashing out.  No amount of laws will ever prevent this.  And no gun carrying citizen is probably equipped or prepared for that moment when one of those who feel cut off lash out at their fellow humans.

While we can never remedy the sin problem involved in all of these, that doesn't mean we are helpless.  What can we do to work to prevent such events from happening again?  What about reaching out in love to those who feel that they are isolated and cut off from their fellow human beings?  Yes, that is a very difficult thing to do, perhaps mostly because it opens us up to the sin that lies within us as well as them.  It's difficult because it means investing our lives in a person that may not really want that closeness, but that desperately needs that closeness.

More laws, or the absence of such laws, will never be the answer.  Genuine, caring love for one's neighbor, especially that neighbor that feels cut off and isolated, may not fully remove the danger, but will likely bear far greater results than any number of laws that could ever be passed.  Also, sharing the news of a God who cares for them enough to rescue them from their situations and struggles, and who provides a loving body that we call the Church to care for them, well, let's just say that this kind of reaching out may truly prove to be the saving of many lives, in more ways than one.

"Coming In"

At times, Christian vocabulary can be kind of like speaking a different language (coincidentally, half the time it is, as I'll be explaining a bit here).  It's true that, in our day and age, each "section" of life has its own language and jargon.  Whether it's plumbing, technology, computer software, or office equipment, everything has words that are specific to that realm.  It's no different for the Christian Church.

Many traditional churches observe this season called Advent.  For many, they know the season, but I would venture that, if you were to ask them what the meaning of the word is, well, they might look back at you with a bit of a blank look on their face.  But have no fear!  After reading this blog entry, you will be able to share the meaning with them, and perhaps set yourself up to answer a trivia question along these lines somewhere down the line!

Literally, according to its Latin roots, the word "advent" means "coming in".  A very appropriate meaning and name, as the thing we observe in this season is that Jesus was "coming in" to this world in a new way.  Yes, as God, He fills all creation.  But in the birth in the manger in Bethlehem, God did something that had never been done before.  He came in, in a way never before imagined.

During Advent, we see and hear about the ways that God prepared the world for Jesus' "coming in".  That's why we hear so many of the Old Testament promises during this season.  God was setting things up to happen in His time, according to His will and design.  And so, as we go through this season leading up to our celebration of Jesus' first coming, we hear about the promises of Jesus coming in to this world.

So now you know the meaning of a Latin word, used to name this season we are observing.  Truthfully, for traditional churches, there are many elements drawn from either Greek, Hebrew, or Latin.  So next time you are in worship and hear a funny sounding word, go ask the pastor or someone who may be "in the know" what that word means.  Who knows, you just might be expanding your language skills into another language!

Rockin' Around the Advent Wreath

Okay, so perhaps the Advent wreath doesn't seem to carry nearly the same fun as the Christmas tree in the popular song of the season, but it is much more applicable this time of year.  While the general public is now in their mad rush to Christmas with the fury of fervent shopping, many Christians, especially those who observe particular seasons of the year and holy days, focus on something a little different.  Advent, rather than Christmas (a season of its own, which will be arriving soon enough, no worries).

For Christians of this particular liturgical leaning, Advent is very much like new year.  We start our new annual journey to the manger in Bethlehem, where we observe God's greatest gift, His own Son Jesus, given to us to make us new and restore us to Himself.  Just as God prepared for the arrival of Jesus for centuries, we Christians take a brief, four week time of preparation for that great event.  This season kicks off our new year as we anticipate once again how God prepared the way for sending His one and only begotten Son.

So, yes, we probably should be rockin' around the Advent wreath.  As we add to the light of the Advent wreath week by week, we enjoy our festival of lights, preparing our hearts for our yearly celebration of God sending the Light of the world into the world, born as a tiny infant in a stall, with a feeding trough for His first bed.  And as we rock around the Advent wreath, we remember and give thanks that God had prepared all of this well in advance of the events of that night so many years ago.

Happy first Tuesday in Advent, all!