SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

I am well aware that different people have different attitudes this season. Some strenuously object to anything to do with Christmas as pagan, ignoring the fact that our pioneers, our church spiritual leaders, our denominational publications, and the spirit of prophecy affirm the opportunity to invite people to consider Jesus, and to practice discipline of giving and sharing. Others, who can afford, can wait for seasonal sales, and buy into the whole secular advertisement campaigns. Yet others, whose ethnic culture abides by a different calendar (Eastern Orthodox), are still two weeks away from Christmas
I personally enjoyed all the musical selections on 3ABN & Hope TV over the last few days. I am still digesting a book I read recently, “The Shack,” overwhelmed with relational picture of the Trinity, God who is all about relationships. It is not coincidental for me that I was reminded of the importance of relationships during this season, because I have relationships that need mending. Forgiveness alone does not restore relationship, it offers a new beginning, invites repentance, and only then a trust to be build.
The message of every Christmas is first and foremost forgiveness we have in Jesus, in whom the Father has reconciled the whole world unto Himself. You do not need to do a little “mess management” before God can accept you. He has already shown the acceptance, descending in this mess, and allowing his Son Jesus to be born in this unholy messy world. God is not afraid of our mess. He will march into the middle of it and order it up, if we let Him. We cannot do it, the only thing we can – is invite Him and let Him be in us.
There is a program aired on Hope TV for a couple of years already, where Christmas story is presented in today’s reality with ambulance vehicles speeding with sirens on, and Herod’s “special op” soldiers doing terrible assassinations, and ambassadors from the East arriving in stretched limo-style Mercedes. The program invites us to consider all earthy messiness of the Incarnation mystery. Do not sanitize it to fit the Hallmark postcard tranquility. The clue that we all should get from this story is honesty of who we are and where we are. No need to front appearances, or decor our facade, for God cuts through all that and comes into our simple abode, even into poorest home, to offer a good tidings of joy, to say “I love you.”
The spirit of this season is expressed in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life!”
Enjoy life with God. Do not let any selfish attitude stand a barrier to God’s presence in your every moment.