Which Christmas

TITLE: Which Christmas
DATE: December 10, 2019

Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.

TEXT: Matthew 21:9 – ESV - 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

People know  Christmas is coming.

Many of the TV shows which bear the word "Christmas" in their title do not reveal the significance of the heavenly event,  nor do they speak of the mission of God’s Son to save sinful humanity.

 I encourage you, examine in detail the "Grinch That Stole Christmas." Search as you will in this beloved story and you will not find any explanation of the real heart and center of the Christ-child’s coming.  Perhaps that is why a survey which questioned 1,000 Protestant and Catholic children in 21 American cities revealed:

• that 32% did not know the town where Jesus was born;
• 33% didn't know the country; and
• 55% did not know whose Son Christ is and
• 76% did not know Caesar Augustus ruled Rome and Palestine when our Savior was born.
• Remember we are talking about Christian children here.

People know Christmas is coming.

Although I don’t have any official statistics, it seems to me that Frank Capra’s magnificent film, "It's A Wonderful Life" has played on TV over 210 times. Now don’t get all mad at me... I like the film, too. Show it to me once, twice, three times in a season... but do it three times in one day and I can become a dangerous man, hiding all the television remotes and burying the TV schedules in the back yard.

People know Christmas is coming.

You may have noticed radio stations have been trying to capture the true meaning of the season by playing songs about Grandma’s altercation with a reindeer, the child who wants a hippopotamus for Christmas

and Jeff Foxworthy’s Redneck 12 Days of Christmas.

Christmas is coming, but which Christmas is going to show up?
There is the Christmas which the world has camouflaged and twisted beyond recognition. . There is the Christmas which centers around earthly wants and not spiritual needs. There is the Christmas which is already overflowing with potential for disaster.

Let me ask, “What Christmas is coming to you?”

• Do you dread Christmas because you will have to associate with family with whom you really don't get along?
• Are you afraid of Christmas because it is accompanied  by memories which are dark and sad?
• Do you enter Christmas alone and feeling there is no point in having a big meal for just one person?
•  Is Christmas a time which fills you with dread because of the bills;?
• or guilt because you couldn't afford to get your children what everybody wanted; or is it just a another boring day you have to spend at home with family? You may know it's Christmas, but you are doing your best to forget.

If that is the case then I encourage you to look into this manger. See the Baby, certainly, but know that animated brow will someday be crowned with thorns. Those hands which brought sight to the blind and healing to lepers will be ripped by nails upon a Roman crows. Look again, realize that all this Jesus has done for you. Realize, and  give thanks for the love of the Lord Who has brought us the real Christmas.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, may I see Your birth for what it is: the God created plan which has saved me. Gratefully in Your holy Name I pray it. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html