Is There Another Way?
[NB portions of this post haver been blogged previously, with apologies]
Do I love it? Should I hate it?
Should I love it? Do I hate it?
The title of “Silly Season” is, arguably, an apt description of Christmas time for a number of reasons. Maybe it is the silly way that people are drawn into the unrelenting commercialism, and are blindly led to bow the knee to the cash-cow of materialism. Maybe it has to do with how this festive season can drive people silly as they seek to attend to all the demands and dictates of a glamorously packaged ‘religious festival,’ one that has nothing to do with the way they live their lives on a daily basis. I mean, doesn’t it seem silly to celebrate a Person’s birth, year in, year out, but never personally know Jesus Christ, the Anointed One of God, or the purpose for Him coming to dwell among us; and be subsequently changed from the inside out by his Spirit?
You have probably guessed by now that I do not have much time for the bilious way the birth of the Saviour of the World is regurgitated each year. I am sure some think I am “silly”, maybe even just plain stupid because I don’t go along with the clamorous customs of society at this time. I am sure some would say, “Just get over it,” with the unstated encouragement to accept the status quo; “After all, Christmas is all over by the New Year. Just ignore it if it cheeses you off!”
Maybe I should, indeed, just get over it, and shut-up. Or, just maybe I shouldn’t! Whatever the case, I need to settle into that contented place of believing that The Lord of the Universe has the birth of his Son in his wise hands, He has done so since the beginning of time, and He will continue to do so no matter what crap is thrown at it, at Him, in the course of this world’s passing.
A Very Miry Murky Crass-Mess!
Despite the fact that, for many, ‘Christmas’ with its gloss and glitter is very comforting time (i.e. it takes the pain away for a while), my concern is that the real meaning of Christmas has been reframed or completely lost. The broadly recognisable Christmas that allegedly celebrates the birth of Jesus finds its soul more in a rotting after-birth than in the Person after whom it is named. Jesus' birth now happens in Tinsel Town, in the world of Vomitus Maximus; the one born the Son of God has been adorned in the red and white vestments of a Christ-less celebration. Simply, Jesus is not found there and He will not be anytime at all.
In reality, this is nothing new to God and shouldn't be to me. The lie that one can enjoy all the benefits of God’s blessings while ignoring Him in everyday life was voiced long ago in The Garden of Eden. The lie continues unabated as many breaths breathe out the stench of the same deception through a ‘glitzy, faithless Christmas.’ Such nonsense burns at the nostrils of God and of those who reject its adulterations. The numbing, cacophonous peel of the likes of Santa’s Christmas bells deafens the world to the peace it so desperately needs, as the One born the Prince of Peace is marginalised through what in truth is, a "Very Miry Murky Crass-mess.”
Is There Another Way?
I need, indeed we all need, to see Jesus as He is: as he lived, died and rose again. We need to see Him as He is revealed to us by God, in all His fullness, power and authority. We need to see to it that we make our dwelling with him, as he does with us. When we choose to make our home with him the fear of his judgment is gone and we consequently enjoy his protection. But, such notions of redemption are “silly” to those bent on eliminating Jesus from their daily existence.
My desire this Christmas as it is each year, and I hope it will be yours, is to worship the Saviour in Spirit; and be blessed by the reality of His resurrected life and his eternal omnipresence, and not have my faith and life misdirected by another silly season. To be sure, His robes of glory and majesty will immeasurably out shine anything the world offers in its continuing catatonic state. For, just as it is written,
For those who do not yet know and love God, his sure and eternal blessings are available to all who believe – and you don’t have to be in a Church to believe – Don't delay, believe today.
For those who so love and worship the Son in Spirit and in Truth may the blessings of the Eternal One be your inheritance. Glory to God in the Highest! Peace on earth -- that is, in your life and home; and therein is His Way. Amen.
Do I love it? Should I hate it?
Should I love it? Do I hate it?
The title of “Silly Season” is, arguably, an apt description of Christmas time for a number of reasons. Maybe it is the silly way that people are drawn into the unrelenting commercialism, and are blindly led to bow the knee to the cash-cow of materialism. Maybe it has to do with how this festive season can drive people silly as they seek to attend to all the demands and dictates of a glamorously packaged ‘religious festival,’ one that has nothing to do with the way they live their lives on a daily basis. I mean, doesn’t it seem silly to celebrate a Person’s birth, year in, year out, but never personally know Jesus Christ, the Anointed One of God, or the purpose for Him coming to dwell among us; and be subsequently changed from the inside out by his Spirit?
You have probably guessed by now that I do not have much time for the bilious way the birth of the Saviour of the World is regurgitated each year. I am sure some think I am “silly”, maybe even just plain stupid because I don’t go along with the clamorous customs of society at this time. I am sure some would say, “Just get over it,” with the unstated encouragement to accept the status quo; “After all, Christmas is all over by the New Year. Just ignore it if it cheeses you off!”
Maybe I should, indeed, just get over it, and shut-up. Or, just maybe I shouldn’t! Whatever the case, I need to settle into that contented place of believing that The Lord of the Universe has the birth of his Son in his wise hands, He has done so since the beginning of time, and He will continue to do so no matter what crap is thrown at it, at Him, in the course of this world’s passing.
A Very Miry Murky Crass-Mess!
Despite the fact that, for many, ‘Christmas’ with its gloss and glitter is very comforting time (i.e. it takes the pain away for a while), my concern is that the real meaning of Christmas has been reframed or completely lost. The broadly recognisable Christmas that allegedly celebrates the birth of Jesus finds its soul more in a rotting after-birth than in the Person after whom it is named. Jesus' birth now happens in Tinsel Town, in the world of Vomitus Maximus; the one born the Son of God has been adorned in the red and white vestments of a Christ-less celebration. Simply, Jesus is not found there and He will not be anytime at all.
In reality, this is nothing new to God and shouldn't be to me. The lie that one can enjoy all the benefits of God’s blessings while ignoring Him in everyday life was voiced long ago in The Garden of Eden. The lie continues unabated as many breaths breathe out the stench of the same deception through a ‘glitzy, faithless Christmas.’ Such nonsense burns at the nostrils of God and of those who reject its adulterations. The numbing, cacophonous peel of the likes of Santa’s Christmas bells deafens the world to the peace it so desperately needs, as the One born the Prince of Peace is marginalised through what in truth is, a "Very Miry Murky Crass-mess.”
Is There Another Way?
I need, indeed we all need, to see Jesus as He is: as he lived, died and rose again. We need to see Him as He is revealed to us by God, in all His fullness, power and authority. We need to see to it that we make our dwelling with him, as he does with us. When we choose to make our home with him the fear of his judgment is gone and we consequently enjoy his protection. But, such notions of redemption are “silly” to those bent on eliminating Jesus from their daily existence.
My desire this Christmas as it is each year, and I hope it will be yours, is to worship the Saviour in Spirit; and be blessed by the reality of His resurrected life and his eternal omnipresence, and not have my faith and life misdirected by another silly season. To be sure, His robes of glory and majesty will immeasurably out shine anything the world offers in its continuing catatonic state. For, just as it is written,
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
For those who do not yet know and love God, his sure and eternal blessings are available to all who believe – and you don’t have to be in a Church to believe – Don't delay, believe today.
Because he loves me, says the LORD, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.
For those who so love and worship the Son in Spirit and in Truth may the blessings of the Eternal One be your inheritance. Glory to God in the Highest! Peace on earth -- that is, in your life and home; and therein is His Way. Amen.
That's My View ~ þöë†þë†ë ~ ©2010 PLJohnson ~ Newcastle AU.
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