“A Word Christmas”

This was the scenery from the ski lift and I prepared to ski down one of the blue trails in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania.

As we finish our last bits of Christmas shopping getting the groceries, buying and wrapping gifts with thoughts of loved ones on our minds, mailing the packages, sending out Christmas cards, it is important that we stay focussed on having a Word Christmas.

A Word Christmas can easily be located in the Gospels. While it is true that neither Matthew, Mark, Luke or John had Christmas in mind their accounts of God incarnate forms the basis for the deeper truths of Christmas so when we embrace each other with gifts and warm wishes we are deeply connected with the Gospel stories.

Last Sunday I reflected on the fact that each of us have our own stories based on the life steps that we have taken. Since I believe that everything has a connection(see my link on connecting the dots    http://www.lifestepbaptistministries.com/blog/connecting-the-dots) I found it interesting that some of the Gospel writers had stories about the birth of Jesus Christ, others told stories surrounding the birth God.

Matthew: In Chapters 1 &2 Matthew, which means, “gift of the Lord”, writes principally to Jews seeking to demonstrate that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. While he wrote to the Jews, we peep in on that conversation and benefit greatly from the message of His arrival. It reminds me of how I learned to ski better. While I was on the slopes at Seven Springs in Pennsylvania skiing on one of the blue trails a ski instructor slid by me with his class and while I was not in the class, I hung back but close enough to hear what he had to tell them and I benefited from the class. We too listen to Matthew’s conversation to the Jews and benefit great as he them,

“And He shall bring for a Son and they shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matt. 1.21)

Mark: Mark did not talk about the birth of Christ. He was quiet on the subject but it does not mean that He did not have it in his heart. The quietest people are often the deepest people. They listen more, they hear more, they think more about what they hear, and when they bring out what they are thinking it is deep. The birth of Christ did not fit his narrative, but judging by everything else he wrote, it filled his life.

John: John only mentions it in a sentence. He says,

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten Son, full of grace and truth”. (John 1.14).

John did not have to say much, but what he said, said much. Many books have been written on the little that he said in John 1.14.  Perhaps the reason he said so little is because it did not fit his purpose. He knew his purpose and he stayed in his lane. That was Luke’s lane. WOW! It is so important for each of us to know our purpose and stay in our lane. Stop trying to be somebody else and do what we are called to do.

Luke: Luke’s story is the most extensive. It fits his narrative. His purpose was. To explain to Theophilous and confirm what he had already been taught. Luke knew his purpose. He stayed in his lane and got all in it. He went deep into the immaculate conception, the joy of Mary who said,

“My soul doth magnify the Lord and my Spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.” (Luke 1.46)

He went deep into the fields where the shepherds were at work and after the angelic visit they decided to go see for themselves. WOW! Some stories are so good that we must take a look at them for ourselves.

I watched my mom and dad struggle hard in the coalfields of West Virginia talking about God and one day I decided to take a look at it for myself and all I can say is, “WOW! Now, my soul doth magnify the Lord and MY spirit hath rejoiced in the God of my salvation. Luke went high but deep when he took us into the palace of Herod and the message upset Herod so much that he went on a rampage. We went deep when he told us how wise men came all the way from the east to worship this newborn baby as he told us how a star in the sky led the shepherd to a stable.

We all have a story.  But not only did everyone in the story have a story of their own but everyone had an agenda. Joseph’s agenda was the well-being of his espoused bride, Mary. Mary’s agenda was just to get to Bethlehem and have this baby. Lord have mercy!  Herod’s agenda was to kill God’s agenda.

I have an agenda in this thought, sermon, post, blog or whatever you want to call it, and that is to wish each of you a happy holiday, but more than that, to wish you a Joyful Christmas!  I do so because happiness is fleeting, but we can have joy all the time. I know because I had it one night on Minnesota Avenue in the Anacostia section of Washington DC when I came to Jesus. That was well over 30 years ago. I had it then and I STILL HAVE IT!

We have a fellow who use to sing a song when I was serving as Assistant to the Pastor in Second Baptist Church Southwest Washington DC.  The song was not a Christmas song but it fits Christmas. It says:

“I still have joy!
I still have joy!
After all the things I’ve been through,
I STILL have joy!

Have a very Merry & Joyful Word Christmas!