Does anyone else have that disenchanted feeling when they wake up on the morning of December 26th? I mean, when Christmas is over, it’s REALLY over. The radio stations that dedicate themselves to playing only Christmas music 24-7, switch back to regular programming. There are no more christmas movies on TV. The Christmas tree lots that turn every corner in the city into a miniature forest seem to disappear overnight.
Today, as I was soaking in the beauty of my Christmas tree for the last time, it suddenly struck me that the the story of Christ’s birth seems to get put away in the attic like the rest of the Christmas decorations in the days after December 25. We probably won’t hear another sermon about that day in Bethlehem until next December. Have you ever considered how absurd this is? Why is the story that our Christianity is based upon only a seasonal topic?
I think I’m having these thoughts because the Christmas story means something completely new to me this year. I took some time to look at the other characters that surround the manger in a typical Nativity scene. Have you ever considered how amazing the story of the shepherds is? The shepherds are the first evangelists of Christianity! Think about this: God sent a whole host of stunningly beautiful angels to tell the shepherds about the birth of Christ. Immediately, the shepherds hurry into Bethlehem to see this thing the angels spoke to them about. But, after seeing Christ, they don’t simply go back to their flocks. According to Luke 2:17-18, “After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished.” They couldn’t contain their joy! They had to tell EVERYONE! Think of how easily God could have used the same host of angels that he sent to the shepherds to spread the news of his son’s birth. I’m sure the angels, in all their splendor, would have had no problem convincing the people that the Messiah had been born. But instead, God spreads the word through lowly shepherds. He had a plan for them to be vessels of his truth. What an incredible parallel to the calling Christ has placed on our lives to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone” (Mark 16:15). This Christmas season, I identify with the shepherds. There’s this burning inside of me to spread the joy of christ to the nations!
Ok, now consider the Wise Men. As you may know, the nativity scenes that we often decorate with at Christmas time are actually historically incorrect. The wise men were never actually at the scene of Christ’s birth. They had to make the journey to Israel from the orient. It could have taken them over a year to reach Jesus with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. I love the image of these magi, making the trek over thousands of miles, seeking something they don’t even understand. Now THAT is faith. I think there is a reason they are included in the Christmas story. This is God’s reminder to us to always seek him. It may take us a year of traveling over mountains and through valleys, but if we seek him, we will always find him.
So, let’s make sure and celebrate Christmas every day this year! December 25th should serve as our reminder that as we seek Jesus like the wise men, we are to go out into the world, just like the shepherds, and share the story of the Lord’s birth with all those that we encounter. After all, who doesn’t need a little good news these days?
