What Are You Expecting This Christmas?

It was Christmastime. Two women, with their arms filled with bundles, walked past a large display window in the local shopping mall. In the store window was a life-sized Nativity scene: the baby Jesus in the manger, Mary and Joseph, several kneeling shepherds, and a few cattle standing beside them. One of the women was overheard to say, "Can you beat that?! The churches are even barging in on Christmas!"

What saddens me the most concerning the above story is that most of you reading this are not surprised. We have come to expect controversy and political correctness as the norm every year at Christmastime. We expect stores to advertise 'holiday' sales, store clerks to wish us 'happy holidays', people buying 'holiday' trees, and exchanging 'holiday' gifts. We are invited to 'holiday' parties, schools have 'holiday' or 'winter' productions, and radio stations play 'holiday' music. It is as if we are celebrating a secret and unnamed 'holiday' on the sly; slipping one over on someone. But who is being deceived?

The God of heaven Who sent His One and Only Son to be the Savior of the world knows what this 'holiday' commemorates. Christmas is about Christ, the Son of God. Scripture teaches that God is looking for true believers to worship Him in spirit and in truth. The birth of Christ is a premier occasion to worship God and His Son.

True Christians know what this 'holiday' commemorates. One can argue that the holiday stemmed from pagan origins, or that this is not the time of year when Jesus was actually born. Regardless of the varied historical or intellectual objections, Christians for centuries have celebrated the birth of Christ as the beginning of God's earthly phase of the plan for our redemption. Jesus, the Son of God, condescended to our humble plane and became clothed in human form. His most inauspicious beginning only served to highlight His mission to bring salvation to every human being, however humble. God is pleased when we worship His Son and celebrate His redemptive work for us.

Thinking people know what this 'holiday' commemorates. For generations it has been called 'Christmas'. It has been celebrated with nativity scenes, Christmas pageants, Christmas parties, Christmas trees, Christmas gifts, Christmas shopping, Christmas music, Christmas sermons, and "Merry Christmas" on our lips.

Regardless of politically correct extremists and those that would cater to their godless whims, I believe the overwhelming majority people celebrate Christmas, even if some around us expect us to hide it. So, why do we expect this kind of playacting to be the norm? Why not openly celebrate Christmas and expect others to do the same? Why not wish everyone you meet a 'Merry Christmas' and expect to hear the same in return? Why not be shocked and relate your displeasure when a store clerk or other person responds with a generic 'Happy Holidays'? What if believers everywhere became more open and vocal about our celebration of Christ's birth at this time of year?

What are you expecting this Christmas? The same politically correct nonsense as last year, or a brand new opportunity to proclaim the Christ of Christmas? Remember, we usually get just what we expect.

BSFL Sunday School Commentary for the week of December 20, 2009

Go, Tell It On the Mountain     Luke 1

Two great quotes that relate to our lesson for this coming Sunday:

"[Scrooge] became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the old city knew...Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh..." from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

"How many there are...who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God."  Missionary Lottie Moon, Tungchow, China, 1887

We are all saved to serve and made for a mission. The old hymn 'Go, Tell it On the Mountain' echoes this sentiment perfectly. And so does Zechariah's song of praise and prophecy in Luke 1. He affirmed that Messiah would come to bring redemption and peace to all people, and that those who would be delivered should serve Him without fear. As you prepare for Sunday School this week, focus on those three words: redemption, peace, serve. If you have enjoyed redemption through Jesus Christ, how are you enjoying that peace? How can you spread Christ's message of redemption and peace by serving Him?

The real story of Ebenezer Scrooge is one of transformation. When his heart was changed, he was changed. The real story of Christmas is one of transformation. God became a man-child so we could become children of God. Jesus came to die so we could be transformed into the likeness of God. Only the redeemed can truly understand the meaning of Christmas, because  the Christ-child came to "save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21b).

Those who have experienced God's redemption through Jesus Christ enjoy peace with God. At the end of Zechariah's prophetic song of praise in Luke 1 he declares that Messiah will "guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79). Deliverance from sin through Jesus brings us peace with God, but also ushers us into a life of peace as we learn to depend on Him by faith. Luke uses the Greek word 'eirene' for peace 14 times, more than any other New Testament book. It implies the presence of safety, security, and justice. That is certainly a benefit worth proclaiming!

The theme of serving, and proclamation, is the center of Zechariah's song in Luke 1:72-77. "He has given us the privilege, since we have been rescued from our enemies' clutches, to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days" (Luke 1:73b-75). We are saved to serve and made for a mission. it is a mission of proclaiming His offer of redemption.

The earlier quote from missionary Lottie Moon shows that she understood well the meaning of this passage in Luke's gospel. Read her pointed words again and determine to share Christ with someone this Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from Our Home to Yours!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE STOVERS!!  

BSFL Sunday School Commentary for the week of December 13, 2009

Joy to the World     Luke 1

In the first chapter of Luke's Gospel Mary, the mother of Jesus, celebrated God's activity in her life and in the lives of God's people throughout time. Her song of praise is called the Magnificat, taken from the first word of the hymn in the Latin Vulgate ("magnifies"). It is a song of unbridled joy at God's activity. The biblical concept of joy may include the idea of happiness, but it is not defined by it. Happiness comes and goes depending on circumstances. Our word 'happy' is based on the term 'hap', which means "fortune", or "luck". The verb means "to occur by chance". The biblical concept of joy is a settled confidence that I rest securely in God's grace, no matter what my circumstances are. The Greek word for joy comes from the same root term from which the word grace is derived. Joy does not depend on chance but on God's amazing and steadfast grace.

As you read Mary's song of joyous praise, remember the circumstances surrounding it. Mary is engaged to a Jewish man, in a strict Jewish society. She is found to be pregnant, although she is a virgin. Who would believe that her child is from God's Holy Spirit? Her own soon-to-be husband did not believe until an angel from God verified Mary's story. Imagine the stigma that would forever surround Mary in Jewish society. And yet, she trusted in God's gracious hand on her life and willingly submitted to His plan. Furthermore, she chose not to whine and complain about God's plan, but to rejoice in it despite the cost.

Her song expresses joy in who God is to her and to His people, joy in how God works in our lives, and joy in His reliability. Her trust in God was based on His track record in the past, and her own experience with Him. God had fulfilled His promises to His people in the past, and God had cared for Mary in her past. She could rest in His sovereign grace now and in the future.

Do you possess that kind of confident joy in God? Are you rejoicing over His plan for your life? Who is God to you? How has He worked in your past? How has He proven Himself utterly reliable? Mary rejoiced in God's troublesome plan for her life because His work through her would truly bring Joy to the World. How does God want to use you to share His message of joy?

BSFL Sunday School Commentary for the week of December 6, 2009

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus            Micah 5:1-5; 7:18-20

My favorite Christmas program is the old animated version of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The greatest part of the entire show is when the Grinch realizes what Christmas is all about and has a change of heart. Part of that process was printed in the Life Truths Learner Guide for this lesson on page 13. Allow me to reprint it here:

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, just perhaps, means a little bit more." - Dr. Seus

The Grinch believed that Christmas centered on consumerism and things; therefore, if he removed all the 'things' of Christmas in Whoville, he could stop Christmas. Sadly, Christmas in our culture seems to mostly revolve around presents, shopping, parties, and decorating. In many American homes, if the Grinch (or some other thief) stole our Christmas decor and gifts, there would be no Christmas celebration at all.

This month's series of lessons are based on a few Christmas hymns from the past. The song for this week, Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, can be found here. The Scripture is from the Prophet Micah, who ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah during the eighth century B.C. His nation was disobedient to the Lord, had grown weak spiritually,  and worshipped many things while still claiming to worship God. Because of the sin of the people and their leaders, God pronounced judgment on Judah. Micah 5 was most likely written while the nation and its cities were falling under siege by the Assyrians or the Babylonians, two rival nations that God used to judge His people during this time.

The Christmas season is a time when families are besieged by society to buy, buy, buy. Children not only want things, they demand them under a socially sanctioned right to want more and more. The holiday that commemorates Jesus' birth has been totally perverted and ruined by our consumer culture. We need to heed the wise counsel of a pastor who said, "Focus your attention on Christ, not on Christmas". As the inhabitants of Judah suffered under siege from their enemies, the Prophet Micah pointed them to a future time of deliverance. He prophesied of a coming ruler that was to be born in the lowly town of Bethlehem. This ruler was already in existence, for he is said to be from antiquity, from eternity (vs. 2). This is none other than Israel's long-awaited Messiah, Jesus! Jesus would come and bring an end to His people's suffering.

Our celebration of this season needs to have significance. Our celebration of this season needs to focus on Jesus. Only He can bring peace to troubled hearts, relief to strained lives, and joy to those oppressed by society's obsession with possessions. He is the ultimate stress release. If your Christmas is too hectic and overwhelming, simplify your schedule and focus on the Savior. Instead of a Christmas revolving around gifts that grow old with time, enjoy the significant Gift of Christmas that is new every morning!

The Prophet Micah spoke of a leader for Israel who would shepherd his people, caring for them and providing for them with immeasurable strength. They would enjoy security and peace (vs. 4-5). This is the continuing prophecy of Jesus the Messiah, Who came to provide salvation for us, to care for us, and to give us security and peace forevermore. To realize this incredible life we must submit completely to the Great Shepherd. He must have absolute authority over our lives. Real security is not being in control; it is relinquishing control to the only One who is absolutely sovereign. God is in control when your life seems out of control. Allowing Him to be owner-ruler of our lives brings a sense of peace and security that financial windfalls, mounds of gifts, and even close families cannot duplicate. The most destitute and the loneliest people on earth can enjoy peace and security in Jesus. A relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ provides eternal salvation and a life worth living.

Christmas is the beginning of the earthly phase of God's plan to redeem fallen mankind to Himself. Jesus was born to die as the one-and-only sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Christmas is about Calvary. Have you turned your back on a life characterized by sin and self, trusted in the sacrifice Jesus made for you when He died on Calvary's cross, accepted God's forgiveness for your sin, and put Jesus in charge of your life? Choose to make this Christmas the most significant of all: receive God's eternal gift of forgiveness and life!

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