December 2007
Greetings,

It is not even Advent and already the Christmas wars have begun. I have received at least three emails from the American Family Association telling me about three different stores that have not included the word Christmas in their Christmas sales brochures and about one store that is neither selling Christmas trees nor holiday trees. No they are selling family trees.

I know of some people who would probably jump at the chance of buying a new family tree in light of the family tree they were born into. Speaking of family trees I often wonder if any one has ever been mortified to find out that their family tree included a notable criminal. I wonder if someone has been truly sorry for going to the extreme lengths they did to trace their family tree.

If you watched the TV series West Wing, you might recall an episode that dealt with the discovery that a pirate was in the family tree of the 1st Lady, Mrs. Bartlett. Every time someone said the word pirate they were corrected by someone saying he was an entrepreneur of sorts.

If the truth be told I doubt there is a single family tree that doesn’t have some type of scandal. Don’t feel bad look at Jesus’ family tree.

Jesus’ family tree contains murderers, adulterers, traitors, thieves, addicts, and liars. His family tree includes the down trodden, and those who were looked down upon by society.

Most importantly Jesus’ family tree includes you. The birth of Jesus is as much a celebration about the incarnate Word of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us as it is a celebration of the birth of the opportunity for you and me to become children of God.

By faith in Jesus we become children of God. By faith in Jesus we are adopted into His household. By faith we are included in His family tree. By faith in Jesus your name and mine is written in the book of life, mentioned in Revelations.

It the midst of the Christmas wars, the maddening crowds of shoppers, the endless list of things to do before December 25th don’t lose sight of the choice you have. The choice is this, you can celebrate Christmas with godliness or worldliness.

If you desire Christmas to be set apart for God, as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, as God’s greatest gift of love then don’t be ashamed if someone is offended by the Good News of Jesus’ birth. I am not saying be offensive. I am saying that if you are truly celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ then expect harassment or criticism from others.

May your Christmas celebration be measurably different from the world’s. May it be a celebration of the birth of your Lord and Savior, Jesus.
 

In Christ