Taking it Personally

 

“Host of Angels,” Mike Moyers @fineartamerica.com

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."—Luke 2:11

Variety may be the spice of life, but we humans also tend to like the comfort of predictability and routine. The holidays can be like that. You can get into the usual roll and flow of the season and find yourself doing the usual things out of the usual habits because it’s what you usually do this time of year. Even reading or hearing the Christmas story. I can’t tell you how many times I have passively observed those familiar words from Luke in the usual way, almost like watching TV, and thinking the angel is talking to shepherds from long, long ago—definitely someone else, but certainly not to me. It’s like watching a nice, nostalgic story unfold about somebody else, even though I know deep down inside it is still true and somehow relevant beyond what my eyes and ears are telling me.

But put down the remote for a second and jump into the story.

“Wait, what?!” It’s OK. Jesus said it is good: “The Father is sending a great Helper, the Holy Spirit, in My name to teach you everything and to remind you of all I have said to you.” (John 14:25, Voice). And when you put down that passive-observing remote and choose to jump into His-story, everything changes...

“For unto you is born…”

Take it personally, and remember that despite our TV, video, phone-scrolling world, we were never meant to be spectators who merely observe and “Like” something told to shepherds we don’t know, but to be active participants in the greatest Story ever—right in our own little corner of the world.

“For unto you is born…”

Take it personally, and remember that the Christmas story of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men and angels isn’t just a seasonal feel-good story or just an amazing moment in history to simply nod our head at every December. Instead, it’s an astounding invitation to (re)open the extraordinary gift of life God has given:

“For unto you is born…"

• To receive…unfailing Love, amazing grace and forgiveness, a Hope that does not disappoint because His Love has been poured into our hearts, and mercies that are new every single morning.
• To believe…because unlike any other person in this world, His promises never fail and His tongue never lies.
• To serve and give with heaven’s Love…Yes, serve Him of course, but especially others—including something our self-centered flesh constantly kicks and screams about: “When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3, New Century)
• To follow in the footsteps of the One born in a manger, Who did amazing things while walking the earth, Who was crucified on a cruel cross for every sin we could ever do or imagine, Who rose triumphantly from the dead and lives to intercede for us today and forever…

…”He died for all so that all who live—having received eternal life from Him—might live no longer for themselves, to please themselves, but to spend their lives pleasing Christ who died and rose again for them.”

—2 Corinthians 5:15, Living Bible

That’s world-changing stuff right there. Even if it’s just our little corner of the world.

And it is never too late to start.

All it takes is to “stop watching TV” and take it personally...and jump into the Story.

“What more do you need if indeed you know Christ, if you walk by faith in God, and by love to your neighbor doing to him as Christ has done to you? This is, indeed, the whole Scripture in its briefest form: That no more words or books are necessary, but only life and action.”—Martin Luther