We could definitely all use some Christmas cheer. I’m down for a party, how about you? But legit question: How do you celebrate in the dark times? We celebrate in dark times by remembering what and WHO we are celebrating.
Our time is not unlike the time prophesied by the prophet Isaiah so many years ago.
Isaiah 9:2-The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
It wasn’t just that times were tough for Israel or that circumstances were bleak, but Israel, God’s people were walking in darkness. They were spiritually dark because of bad choices they had made. When God’s people are spiritually dark it trumps any natural disaster, any pandemic, any economic crisis. Listen, it doesn’t get darker than that. We expect the world to be dark, right? We expect the darkness of evil to overshadow those without God, but when the church’s light goes out, when the church’s spiritual sight grows dim, when the church can no longer see God in their midst and wait in faithful expectation for Him to move, Houston, we have a problem.
And so, Jesus, God the Son, donned human flesh, moved into our neighborhood, and with Him, came the light to see and know God. Jesus gives you the light you need in order to see and know God. When Jesus began his earthly ministry, Matthew tells us Jesus went to Capernaum to fulfill what had been prophesied by Isaiah. He specifically went to display His light on the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, to people in Israel who were blinded to the truth about God, to God’s people, who couldn’t see Him, couldn’t hear Him and weren’t acknowledging Him.
This Advent, We celebrate that Light to see and know God has come into the world.
Happy Birthday, Jesus. Happy Birthday to the Light of the World. Church, we ought to par-tay! Go all-in this Advent, put out every decoration you have, bake everything you have time to bake, buy presents for your loved ones, sing all of the carols, turn the music up loud, watch all of the specials, post all of the Christmas memes, light candles in your home, dance like nobody is watching and worship and adore the Lord of Light this Christmas. His coming gives us great reasons to celebrate.
In addition to celebrating that the Light to see and know God as come into the world,
We celebrate that the Savior is for everyone.
This principle is represented by the fact that the announcement of the Messiah’s birth was first given to the shepherds. Did you know that when Jewish Rabbi’s listed despised occupations, being a shepherd was at the top of the list? It was assumed that all shepherds were thieves. Shepherds were not even allowed to testify in court because they were considered to be liars. They were not allowed to worship in the Temple or synagogue because they were considered to be unclean. Not one shepherd ever told his kindergarten teacher, “When I grow up, I want to be a shepherd!” It wasn’t a revered or respected profession. It was a dead-end street.
And yet, here was a group of shepherds, social outcasts, unclean by society’s standards, who were privileged to hear the news, “A Savior has been to you.” First of all, I love that Luke 2 says, “has been born to YOU.” Do you think they looked behind them to see if there was a group of Kings standing behind them? Do you think they thought they were being “punked” and that the TV cameras would come out at any second? Perhaps they glanced back to see if there were some religious or political elites behind them because surely the news that they were hearing about a Savior, about a Messiah, wasn’t for them. Oh, but it was!
In His infinite wisdom, appeared on-purpose to those that society considered questionable, to those who had a bad reputation, to those who couldn’t even be trusted, to those others didn’t want to associate with. God strategically identified with the down and out, the poor and needy, with those who could use some Good News and a fresh start.
The shepherds, you see, represent the universal nature of the Gospel. Jesus is for everyone. Whosoever will may come to Jesus. It doesn’t matter what you have done, where you have come from, or what others think of you. It doesn’t matter your race or status, your education or upbringing, Jesus is for you! Little ones can come to know Jesus. Seasoned seniors can come to Jesus. As long as you have breath, you qualify to make a decision for Christ.
What we can understand from these happenings is that if Jesus can change a shepherd’s life, He can change anyone’s life. Their lives would no longer be defined by what they had done or what others thought of them. Their lives would be marked by the fact that God accepted them and invited them to draw close to His Son. What do you want to define your life? Your performance? Other people’s opinions, or the value and worth God has placed on your life by inviting you to draw close to His Son?
Lastly, I would suggest that
We celebrate that the Wise Men found what they were looking for, and we can, too.
The Magi were people who were wise men who knew that signs in the sky pointed to the Creator God. They understand that the sun, moon, and stars, all that has been created, point us to seek and know the God of Creation. And when the incredible star appeared in the sky over Bethlehem, they were willing to leave where they were to find Jesus. They had learned of prophecies of old that had predicted a special star that would point to a special king. They had studied star patterns. They did what they could to intellectually understand what could be taking place, but intellect isn’t enough in order to connect us with God. Seeking God with our mind is only part of the journey.
If you have knowledge about Jesus, but never make the trip to experience Him personally, you will never find salvation, contentment or purpose. But if you will seek Him, if you will ask questions, if you will move closer to Jesus by exposing yourself to the Word of God, to prayer, to corporate and private worship, I promise you He will not hide Himself from you! You can’t experience Jesus from afar, but if you make the journey to find Him, you will.
What are you looking for? Security? It’s found in Jesus. The Bible says that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and the righteousness of God, that is, if we put Jesus first, then things will begin to fall into place. That is Matthew 6:33. God says He will provide for all of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. That is Philippians 4:19. We need to seek Him as our Provider. Do you need healing for relationships or your body? It’s found in Jesus. (Psalm 103:3) Do you need to feel significant, like your life has meaning? It’s found in Jesus. Take a look at 1 Peter 2:9 or Ephesians 2:10. Do you need peace that will keep you steady and moving forward even when life is overwhelming and unpredictable? It’s found in Jesus. Isaiah 26:3 confirms it. Do you need friendships with people that will care about you and invest in you? They can be found in the Body of Christ. Check out I Corinthians 12:26. Do you need hope for some complicated or dark situation? It’s found in Jesus. Isaiah 40:31 will testify it is true.
This Christmas, don’t go small. Celebrate big!
Celebrate that Light to see and know God has come into the world.
Celebrate that the Savior is for everyone.
Celebrate that we can find what we are looking for!
It is all in and because of Jesus. He is the light of life and the life of my party. He is the reason for the season, and He has given you permission to celebrate big!
