Christmas: An Invitation to Outsiders

The message of the Gospel is far from exclusive, but sometimes it seems so because of our insider’s lingo.  It’s almost as if one must have a special introductory class to get in on what’s going on. 

·         What is your eschatological position on the rapture?

·         What is your hermeneutical approach to Revelation?

·         Are you a Calvinist or an Armenian?

·         Is your marriage egalitarian or complementarian?

·         Are you a dispensationalist or a reformer?

·         When it comes to the Lord’s Supper, do you understand the difference between transubstantiation, memorialism and consubstantiation?

Christmas uncomplicates.  It highlights profound simplicity.  The message is an invitation to the outsiders Jesus came to seek and save.  

 “She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.”

"There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them, and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

“But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage."

 

 

Christmas: A Prelude to the Cross

 

It is safe to say that the Christmas season is upon us.  It began officially for us the day after Thanksgiving by decorating the house with stockings, nativities, lights and of course trimming the tree.  It began unofficially the week before when the girls put out all of their Christmas goodies for the dessert tasting.  Now we have moved into the advent readings and this Saturday there is a Christmas concert.  All this activity is great but is only a prelude to the main event – the cross.  

 

This week in preparation for our Sunday evening group I have been sifting through the multiple and wondrous reasons for the cross.   They are amazingly awesome and humbling, for instance: 

·         We have forgiveness and abundant freedom because of His blood spilled out on the altar of the cross. (Ephesians 1:7)

·         Our rescue from this evil world came through His sacrifice for our sins. (Galatians 1:3-4)

·         The wealth of God’s love and grace is evident through His Son’s sacrificial death for us when we were of no use whatsoever to Him.  (Romans 5:8)

·         On the cross Christ absorbed a self-defeating cursed life by taking it completely on Himself.  (Galatians 3:13)

·         When we were at our worst, God reconciled us to Himself through the cross. (Romans 5:10)

·         By embracing death Christ destroyed the Devil’s hold on death so that we do not have to go through life fearing it. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

·         The cross of our Master, Jesus Christ, became the ground for all of our boasting.  (Galatians 6:14)

 

These are striking and powerful statements.  Of course to enter into them fully we cannot simply dabble in them.  We do the cross a massive disservice if we only outline it’s advantages and collect intriguing facts.  The cross is to be entered into fully.  Out of it flows the well spring of life that continually transforms and heals, reshapes and frees.  It was given to be lived.

Our 2012 ornament - an aspen leaf from Estes Park, Colorado