The Grinch and My New Year’s Resolution.

How good are you a “judging a book by its cover”?  I’m not.  I appreciate other people’s input, whether it is on a book, movie or music.  Of course, when I finally do read, watch or listen to it, the final verdict of whether I liked it or not rests with me.

Quite some time ago, a Christmas program began to show up on TV every year.  It was called, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  I never liked it.  I never saw it!  I just didn’t like that green, mean looking Grinch smirking at me.  He bugged me.  I was judging the proverbial book-by-the-cover.

It was years later that I finally realized the crux of the story.  Dopey me!  What a great story this was!!  The Grinch learned that Christmas wasn’t about presents – but presence.  Or, as Christians know – The Presence.

How appropriate this lesson is for me in everyday life.  When it comes to people, shouldn’t I take the time and effort to really know someone instead of judging “the book-by-the-cover”?

In addition, the presence of God in my life should make a difference in others lives -- just like the Grinch, who was affected by the people of Whoville.  The end of Acts 4:13 says, "and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."

As Pastor Brett has talked about presence this advent, having more and more of His presence in my life will be at least one of my New Year’s resolutions.  Enough, so that men "will take note...".

Jealousy. Apathy. Pursuit.

There are all types of people in the “Christmas Story”, but this Christmas I have been reminded of these three particular types.

Jealous

The Bible tells us in Matthew 2:3 that King Herod was “disturbed” when he heard about the birth of Jesus (this “king of the Jews”).  Granted it didn’t take much to disturb this king.  He had his son, wife and mother-in-law killed.  King Herod was generally not a nice guy.  He was pretty paranoid, angry and jealous with Jesus being on the scene.

Apathetic

The chief priests mentioned in Matthew 2:4-6 were the “church people”.  .   Guys that are very involved in church – like many of us.  Their response SCREAMS in silence.  They apparently knew about the Messiah (Jesus) from the prophecies etc. in the Old Testament.  But they don’t seem to do anything about it.  The Bible doesn’t tell us that they left anything to pursue Jesus.  Their apparent non-action screams apathy.

Persistent

We read about the shepherds in Luke 2:15.  Once they heard from the angels (and got their wits about them again), they made a beeline for Bethlehem to “see this thing that has happened”!

The magi are mentioned in Matthew 2:1-2.  These guys were smart and probably well off financially.  They embarked on what some think was a two year trip to pursue Jesus.  More than likely, it was probably a pretty dangerous trip as well.  But they had a desire to see “the one who has been born king of the Jews.”

So I have considered – whom I am most similar to?  Am I like King Herod?  Jealous of some One who takes first place in my life?  Am I like the chief priests?  Too busy with life, including “church stuff” to care about Jesus.  Or, am I like the shepherds and magi?  Am I in persistent pursuit of the Messiah?

Honestly, there’s probably of bit of me in all three.   I hate to admit that.  Just being honest.  As I considered this, I was reminded of Psalm 63:1, not necessarily known as a Christmas passage:  “You, God are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

This Christmas – this year – I want to be more like the shepherds and more like the magi.

What about you?

The X Factor

Have you ever heard that phrase, “Christians are known more for what they’re against than what they’re for?”  That kind of bugs me – for two reasons.  1) Because I’m a Christian.  2) Because it’s probably true.  Ouch!

This past summer when the whole Chic-Fil-A ordeal was going on, Skye Jethani (Christianity Today) did some research.  As you recall, a lot of Christians turned out in support of Chic-Fil-A because the gay community was going to boycott the restaurant.  Skye’s research showed that in the last ten or twenty years (it’s been a while, I forget the time frame), Christians have initiated a whole lot more boycotts than other organization.   Hmmm.  What does that tell you about us?

For years, during the Christmas season, Christians have complained about “taking Christ out of Christmas” – namely, the use of Xmas instead of Christmas.  Generally, we’ve made a big stink out of the deal.

In actuality, it may not be that bad.  It might even be a good reminder of what Christmas means and can be a bridge to conversations about the meaning.

Two thousand years ago, paper and pen as we know it, did not exist.  Information was memorized or abbreviated.  X is the first letter in the Greek word Christos (Χριστός).  In church history, X is shorthand for Christ.  An O with a line across the middle is Theou (Θεου) and means God.  Have you ever heard of anyone protesting the use of the Greek letter for God?   I didn’t think so.

I’m sure you’ve all seen the “fish symbol” that the early church used.  I’m not sure, but I think the origination was a spin off some of the disciples being fishermen and being called by Jesus to be fishers of men.  So, the early church would take the fish and inside of it put five letters, creating an acronym of sorts.  The letters look like this:

ΙΧΘΥΣ

They stand for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.  Really, isn’t that a good reminder of what Christmas is?  Not only is Xmas about Jesus.  Xmas can remind us once again, that He is the Son of God.  And, that He is our Savior.  It also reminds us that we are to be fishers of men.

So next time you see Xmas used, rather than get all in a huff, use it for a reminder of Who Christmas is about and what we’re supposed to do about it.

SDG

Hit the pause button

I'm not sure how many of you are musicians and recognize this symbol.  It's called a fermata.  It's a signal from the composer to the conductor.  The fermata gives the conductor permission to hold a pause as long as he feels is necessary.  It's used to get the attention of those listening.  The composer includes it so the conductor can get the audience to pay attention.  To stop.  To pause.  To listen.  Really listen.

Pastor Brett's sermon theme this Advent Season is "Christmas Presence" -- a little play on words, but it is an important distinction.  As enjoyable as Christmas time is, I think we'd all agree it's a very busy time.  Perhaps we need a fermata.  Or, if you're not a musician, perhaps a Pause Button.  Perhaps we need to just stop rushing around and being so busy and...pay attention.

Advent is to Christmas what Lent is to Easter.  It's a time of preparation.  Prepare to more fully appreciate the Presence -- Immanuel.  Sometimes it's difficult to "prepare for Christmas" when you're "preparing for Christmas".  Do you get what I mean?

It will be a challenge, but this month, I am going to try use a fermata -- to hit the Pause Button if you will -- and listen.  More than likely it may be early morning or late at night.  For me, that seems to be the time when it's easiest to get alone.  It may be another time of day for you.  I know I need to stop and listen more to the Composer.  What am I too busy with that I'm not paying attention to what He's communicating?  I need to make the pause long enough -- dramatic enough -- to make a difference.

Recently, I heard mention of this (30 minute) interview on Breakpoint.  Michael Card was the guest and a number of years ago, he wrote a Christmas album, though not a traditional album.  It was interesting to hear Card's comments about the songs and the sequence.  Perhaps a quiet time of listening to the album with the Bible open would be appropriate.

You may have some other ideas that fit your schedule and life situation better.  Feel free to share them.  This may be a great forum in sharing what works for you and it may spur someone else on to use it and tweak it to fit their situation.