Every year we conclude November giving thanks for the wonderful blessings God has given us as a great nation then we descend into silly and sometimes divisive and angry debate over the next important holiday. For years we have misinterpreted our constitution and gone in the wrong direction with the foolish idea of political correctness in so many matters that common sense has long become uncommon. Mark Twain said. “Common sense is the simple knack of seeing something the way it really is and doing something the way it should be done.” Christmas without Jesus makes no sense!
The first six letters of the holiday are CHRIST. People can have holiday trees and seek to miss the point all they wish but the point of the HOLIDAY is JESUS! We celebrate God becoming flesh and invading history to dwell among us as our guide in life, as our saving sacrifice to pay the price for our sin and give us hope for eternity and peace among men. It is because we miss that point to such a great degree everyday that we do not have real joy and celebration in our lives, families and churches today.
He did not come to give us a holiday. He did not come to give us religion. As the holiday without Jesus makes no sense, actually religion without Jesus makes no sense either. That is why so many churches, denominations and religions are empty and failing. Far too many are simply clubs of religious acting people with their own rules and rituals that don’t have much to do with the teachings of Jesus, which majored on love and freedom from bondage of sin. The church he started was an Ecclesia, which was a common term in that day for an assembly called out for action. As his church we are called out of the world and called to him for action. We are called to be his body in this world. He is in heaven waiting for us so we are here as his body. Our assignment is to physically do as he would do bodily were he here. So look at what he did and who he hung around with and go for it.
He gives us the invitation and power to be his body. First we must be born into his Spirit (John 3). Then the Holy Spirit (God) will live in us and give us power greater than any human resource to say no to previous temptation and yes to being like Jesus (Galatians 5:23-23) with life changing power (II Corinthians 5:17). There is a difference in being born again and being religious. Many are religious and are faithful in following their church rituals and traditions. They are serious about them. The will argue and possibly fight over them.
It really comes down to truth. Which way is true? Which is the best way to live? Is Christmas a real holiday? Is Christianity true? Is Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, or other belief better or is it better to be an atheist and just enjoy the day as you see fit? I have studied the different faiths and ways to live. It seems to me that the best way would be to follow one who knew enough to conquer death. At the time I wrote this article Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, Joseph Smith, and anyone else who started a religion was still dead. I have a strong suspicion they will still be dead when you finish reading.
Jesus is Alive! History proclaims it! The Bible not a written as a history book but it is the most accurate book of ancient recorded history we have. He was publically executed by the state, buried in a guarded grave but three days later over 500 witnesses, saw him walking around alive, talked with him, some touched him and ate with him! Before he went to Heaven he addressed a large crowd! He is still alive and changing lives. I talked to Him this morning! Life Without Jesus Makes No Sense! Humans have three basic emotional needs; we need to receive love, give love and have a sense of purpose. These three are only met completely in Christ. (John 1:4). So, have a Merry Christmas with Jesus. Have a great life with Jesus. He makes the difference. Without him nothing makes sense!
