Christmas is now upon us and as we gather together this year, we who believe in the birth of God on earth, Jesus the Christ, pause to celebrate… and reflect.
So many events that have erupted in our society and around the world recently have had the effect of dividing and by so doing threaten to conquer our peace, our joy, and our similitude with our neighbors and fellow citizens. This Christmas our hearts carry the burden of violence, death, divisive and hateful rhetoric, turmoil and strife. We have witnessed things that have literally amazed us as we would not have believed they would be possible in our lifetime. But viewed in the perspective of different times and places, they are not so much remarkable as they are wearying and discouraging.
“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Gal. 4:4-5 (KJV)
Perhaps we Americans have come to think that we are beyond much of the nonsense and mayhem. We want to think we are the generation to put racial strife behind us. We want to believe we are more mature and thoughtful to engage in heated rhetoric. We want to believe that we gained wisdom from our confrontations in foreign affairs and with leaders of oppressive regimes. We want to believe that our values and our virtues are honorable and by extension, honored.
But we would be mistaken.
Americans are more anxious about their future than they have been in many years. Our leaders are no longer held in esteem and most of us think we are much worse off today. That certainly has to be true for the 20 million Americans who are unemployed, (but no longer counted in the rolls because of discontinued unemployment benefits) or under-employed. Consider the increasing millions who no longer have viable health insurance. Today there are currently more than 45 million Americans receiving food stamps – an increase of some 180% since the current administration took control. For many of us, America and by extension the entire world is gripped in uncertainty, unrest and disillusionment to a dangerous degree.
And into this world marches an army of evil bent on death, destruction and domination. So vile and wicked are their ways they have determined that even the murder of the most innocent among us will be sacrificed for their political gain.
This is why this Christmas – as always – the birthday of The King is so deeply wonderful and wondrous. Because so much has robbed us of our joy, the joy of Christmas is so very precious. Because this is the birthday of The King, and on His shoulders the government rests.
Last Saturday I was invited to spend an hour on local radio in my home city of Louisville, Kentucky: “Christian Conversation with Roy Jackson.” Before discussing Shenandoah Christian Alliance I was asked to share my favorite memories of Christmas and why Christmas is so special to me and my family. I remember saying how much Christmas means to my daughter who is still as excited as a schoolgirl and who shops for gifts like they were the most important thing in the world she could give someone. She genuinely delights in giving as much in receiving.
Is it possible we can fully understand the joy and love that God poured out when He gave us the gift of salvation in His son that distant day so many centuries ago? The birth of Jesus changed everything. It even split time in two. But he arrived in lowly exile; born in a stable and wrapped in swaddling cloths, He lay in a manger. As the song says, “What a strange way to save the world.” But it was exactly the right way – the perfect way. Because what better way to exult in the love of God for His children then by sending us a child.
On behalf of the staff, organizers and members of Shenandoah Christian Alliance, have a very blessed Christmas and may all of you be found in health and prosperity this coming New Year!