As we continue on in this year’s Christmas season I want to share something that is very important. In Matthew 18:20 Jesus makes an astounding declaration. He tells us that whenever 2 or more of us gather together in his name God is there in our midst. This is a very common idea and we often see it as one of those things that sounds nice and we believe, but we really don’t believe it. Jesus is there every time we gather in His name. No really!!! He is there. It got me to thinking about the little song we sing about Santa Clause, but he is not the one who “sees you when your sleeping and knows when you’re awake.” That is Jesus.
How would it change our Holiday season if we took that truth and really believed it? After all every gathering at Christmas time is “in His name” isn’t it? Therefore He is there. I know He is everywhere present, but just go with me for a moment On this. If Jesus is there, invited or not I might add, how would it change our parties, family gatherings or shopping trips. Would we be so inclined to forget Him and simply enjoy “Holiday cheer” if we believed he was there? Would we get so caught up in the commercialism and completely ignore His celebration if we truly believed He is right there at the office party with us? I don’t think so.
Many Christians argue that Jesus was not born on December 25th and that the date is a co-opting of a pagan holiday. That is true, but when we say that we are missing the point of the celebration. We are not celebrating the day He was born we are celebrating that He was born and if using and existing holiday worked so be it. He was born and we are celebrating that fact. He was there and because He was there we can now experience the reality that He is here. He is in our midst always but there is a special promise of his presence when we gather in His name.
Soooo let this truth dominate your Christmas celebrations. He is in our midst. Let’s not ignore Him, it’s a celebration of His birth. Let’s include Him in all we do this season. I believe that if we do we may find that others will sense His wonderful presence. When they do we will have the opportunity to explain to friends, family and co-workers what that special presense is. We might even get to introduce them to the one who’s presence so graces our lives. Just a thought
Merry Christmas
Pastor Bill