What Have We Done With Our Lord?

Over the last few weeks, I have been watching the world prepare for the holidays. After all, the December holidays did not originate in Christianity. I have been in and out of stores. I see Santa, I see elves, I see reindeer, penguins, snowmen, stockings, large trees and bright flashing lights.

All of which is beautiful and after being locked down, I am thrilled for all the parents and children who are finally embracing this time of love, happiness and giving. I believe the world is in need of all the love with wisdom and caution exercised. Those in the world are celebrating as they should. It is about commercializing the season to make as much profit as they can, which is profitable for any business.

As Christians, the birth of Christ, His death and resurrection are the fundamental principles/teachings of our Christian faith. Without His birth, there is no death and no resurrection. As Christians we know that December the 25th is not the exact birth date of our Lord, but it is the day we choose to acknowledge and celebrate the truth of our King’s birth, that He was born of a virgin.

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

I know that Jesus is no longer a baby in a manger, and I am not looking for Him there. He is no longer with us in the flesh, but in the spirit. He is seated on His Heavenly Throne above all other thrones, and He will be returning.

When I was growing up, during Christmas you could find Baby Jesus being displayed on lawns, in commercialized spaces and schools. I have taken it upon myself to look for the nativity scene; I have not found one as yet.

I do not see a stable, wise men, Shepherds; I don’t see Baby Jesus Mary nor Joseph.

I know they are just symbols that we use to depict a story of the birth of our Lord, but Baby Jesus has disappeared from before our eyes. Seeing a display of the birth of our Lord is now a rare occurrence.

Some Christians will argue that no one knows the exact day or time of Jesus’ birth, but again it does not matter because Christmas is the time we choose to celebrate and give thanks. If you ask me, in our Christian faith, the birth of Jesus should be remembered throughout the year. Accepting the birth of Jesus is an eternal matter. Jesus is more than Mary’s son. He was God in the flesh, and our only hope for eternal life.

John 1:5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Jesus is not in the big box stores because He will offend the humanity that He created. As Christians, we have been watching for years as they remove Christ from our holiday. Christ was never the idea of the world for the holiday, but for us as Christians, Jesus is the reason we celebrate. We have the King and if we neglect Him so easily what should those looking on from the world do with Him? Instead of introducing the world to its saviour, we have followed in the footsteps of the world. I think in the grand scheme of things, we as Christians have been rejecting the birth of our Lord out of the fear of offending others. The world is inclusive of all celebrations, or so we believe. Baby Jesus is nowhere to be found. The world’s most extraordinary and significant rescue mission does not make the cut.

Taking Jesus out of a store and removing Him from the Holidays does not change what He did, who He is, and the fact that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.

We are Christian parents, and our children are meeting creation and not its creator.

We are more comfortable at introducing our children to mythical creatures and not our Lord.

What have Santa, elves, talking penguins and snowmen done for us? How will they help our children when they move on from this World into eternity?

I am all for fun, the decorating, the food, hanging out with friends and family members and the exchanging of gifts especially when there is balance, and our priorities are ordered according to their level of importance. But as I watch the World prepare for yet another Christmas, where does the King of kings fit in?

When do we spend time to focus on the King of Glory that took on the most supernatural, extraordinary and significant rescue mission of all time? A Mission to save humanity from eternal enmity between God and man? When do we celebrate the fact that the creator of the universe became flesh and dwelt amongst men?

When do we thank the everlasting King for choosing to be born in a manger so that He is a God that can be touched by our infirmities?

When do we fit Him into our busy schedules, thanking Him for giving up all the comforts of Heaven to save us even before we were conceived in our mothers’ wombs?

When do we begin as Christian parents to introduce our children to their King? It is our duty to introduce them to their Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in their hearts. Let us make their hearts more inclined to accept Jesus as their saviour. I am so thankful that God ministers to the human heart with or without us because it is never His will to see anyone perish.

When do we bring our families together not just to exchange food, gifts, and beautiful memories that are all residual benefits of His sacrifice and unlimited favour and grace and say thank you to our King for coming on the greatest rescue mission?

2Peter3:10 ” He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. “

This Christmas let us not focus only on things as Christians. Let us remember our King. When the world forsakes Him, we should not. This is a great time to commemorate His birth. Let us show the world that we believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Immanuel – God With us.

I will enjoy this holiday, and I will remember my King and what He did. I will not allow all that is happening in the world to steal Him away from me. Like Mary, I will say “What have you done with my Lord?”

As I write a song I was taught in Sunday School is playing in my heart.

No Room At The Inn

CHORUS

No room at the inn they told Joseph,

No place for Mary to sleep.

Surely they could see how worried was he,

When told no room in the inn.

1. We read in the Bible, the true Word of God,

How Joseh sought a place for Mary one night.

Each place that he went, these words he was told,

“No room at the inn for another soul.”

CHORUS:

2. The Christ Child was born to Mary that night

His bed was a manger of hay.

This won’t be in vain if for Him you will wait,

And let Him reign in your heart today.

Today let us make room in our hearts, our homes, our families and relationships for the King of Glory.

How do you celebrate and remember the birth of Jesus during the Christmas Holidays with your family?

Please leave a comment below because “Life is better shared!”