Being Jesus to the World
We have reached the Christmas season once again. I can’t believe it is here already. It seems to sneak up on me at times. I have been aware of all the publicity surrounding the “Merry Christmas” greeting that retailers are using this year. Last year, there were so many retailers who chose not to use “Merry Christmas” choosing instead “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings”. I really appreciate when people are sensitive to the feelings of others, but this should never be done at the expense of the true meaning of something…especially when it comes to Christmas!
As Christians, we know the true meaning of Christmas. It is the celebration of Christ coming to the earth to live among us and eventually to die for our sins. So, to remove Christmas from this season would be removing the very source and reason for the season.
For me, the real point of Christmas is knowing Jesus Christ. How else would we come to know Christ apart from him being present among us? What an incredible gift the world received when God sent Jesus to the earth. God living among people…living, loving and giving to those whom he had created and loved from the very beginning. None of us has had the privilege of physically being with Jesus. In his time here on earth he spent time eating, drinking, walking and talking with people from all different walks of life. He spent time teaching and helping people find wholeness in their lives. Today, I’d expect Jesus would meet someone for lunch, sit down at his local Starbucks for a cup of coffee or even send an email or text message to encourage someone…all the while helping people to know the chance for wholeness and healing in their lives.
Since we don’t have the physical presence of Jesus on this earth, how does the incarnation happen today? I believe that we, the people of God, those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, are the physical incarnation of Jesus to people all around us. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7, NIV). We have come to know the fullness of God in Jesus Christ. Through his life we learned about God’s love and forgiveness, we learned about kindness and compassion, we learned about giving and sacrifice. Paul wrote “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority” (Colossians 2:9-10, NLT). Jesus’ time among us was for the purpose of revealing the fullness of God and His love for us…and as Christ completes us and brings wholeness and peace in our lives, we become to others the very incarnation of Jesus Christ.
What a huge calling and responsibility we have. Thank goodness we don’t have to do it alone. We have been promised the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives to empower us and fill us with everything we need to carry out this calling. Jesus said, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26, NIV). We have the calling and we have the promise of the Holy Spirit to empower us…therefore we have no excuses.
So this Christmas, I trust that more than anything else, you will work to make certain that you keep Christ in Christmas. We have the incredible privilege and I believe even the responsibility to show the incarnate Christ to people around us. Let others be struck by your kindness and love. Show godly patience when you are out shopping. Open a door for someone who is loaded down with packages. Offer your lives as an offering of peace and joy to those around you.
Pastor Greg