THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Sunday, December 18, 2016

2Corinthians [ESV] 5:10-21 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

  Where did the idea of Christmas spirit come from, the attitude of giving? Was it by way of the Magis’ example in expensive gifts to baby Jesus? Or, was it some brilliant ad-man many years ago that had an idea on how to stimulate commerce, and line his pockets with gold in the process?

  I’m not against gift giving. I enjoy receiving gifts. (I am not soliciting!) And certainly do enjoy giving. Giving does not however always work out as expected. As we excitedly, lovingly give, the reactions of some recipients are not exactly in what we consider Christmas spirit.

  Years ago, women of the Evangelical Methodist Church, Dublin, Maryland, donated over $8,000.00 (Originally $1,000.00 in 1960.) to purchase Christmas turkey meals for poor families in their rural farming county. Two young deacons eagerly volunteered to make deliveries to 10 families chosen from needy children participating in EMC large Sunday School. (Oddly, SS attendance was about 20% higher than worship service.)

  At 8 of the 10 households there were numerous adult men sitting smoking and drinking beer though a workday morning. Overflowing ashtrays and empty beer bottles littered the rooms. Asked about their employment status? In all 8 houses to a man they responded with some variation of “We’re looking.”

  Later, when one family’s children were asked by their SS teacher if they enjoyed their Christmas meal, the child sadly replied “No ma’am, the adults got drunk after those deacons left. They fell asleep and left the boxes on the kitchen table and the dogs and cats had their way with it. The next morning there was a big fight over whose fault it was.”

  A caring lady baked a Christmas cake for a poor family. The single mother and children expressed their thanks. The children clambered to cut the cake so as to enjoy it with Miss Barb. The mother smiled as she backed thru the kitchen swinging door carrying the cake. When she doesn’t return as expected, one of the children went to investigate. Suddenly the child loudly wailed. When all entered the kitchen they saw the mother with chocolate on hands and face. In her dysfunction she had ungraciously gobbled the entire cake! The kids scrambled to get the crumbs that had fallen on the table and floor.

  A male mentor, while playing basketball, notices his “little brother” needs news shoes. Joyously watching the boy unwrap his Christmas gift, he is disappointed when the boy complains they’re not the expensive brand his peers wear.

  An adult SS class collects $1,200 to fill a gift list for an inmate’s family. When delivered by a married couple from the church, the response is a “Just put the stuff over there.” as children and adults continued playing their video games and watching TV.

  Discouraged yet? I could go on and on and I’m sure many of you could relate stories of your own experience. Especially those of you involved in rescue missions, jail and prison ministry, and addiction counseling.

  How do we refresh and/or maintain our spiritual sensibility? By looking to The Word (Jn.1:1) for example, direction, and staying power . . . and never losing sight of the fact that we are not fixers, we are messengers; agents telling of God’s merciful reconciliation. (2Cor.5:20)

  God gave His most precious gift, His only begotten Son, Jesus. He was rejected casually and cruelly by most then as now. But God did not withdraw His grace! Though betrayed, vilified, crucified . . . His free gift of salvation was and is still largely refused, and even when accepted, too often lived here in mediocrity; significantly without active ambassadorship.

  Let us not turn aside from reaching out to others. Let ours be a heart fruitfully after the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; manifesting Christmas (Christ-worship) now and all year long. (Rom.12:1-3)

  “My dear brothers and sisters, don't be fooled. Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn't change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon. God decided to give us life through the word of truth to make us his most important creatures. Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and should not get angry easily. An angry person doesn't do what God approves of. (GW James 1:16-20)  EBB4