The Present Problem

Scriptures: Luke 2

1.  It is a secular interpretation of a spiritual initiative. 

The secular world view interprets many Christian principles in lateral fashion.  We sometimes want the principle but it becomes distorted without acknowledging the author

Ø      Goodness – Imputed Righteousness

Ø      Relativism – Absolute Truth

Ø      Tolerance - Grace

How does secular society celebrate a holiday which in it’s essence is a spiritual occasion.  The substitute emphasizes wonderful values that can be widely embraced at least temporarily.  Perhaps part of the sadness of Christmas for some is that they know that things will soon return to abnormal. 

We all feel good about ourselves as we embrace these values also.  Part of the problem is that it pushes our own sense of need farther away from us.  It is more difficult fo good people to acknowledge their spiritual need then it is for people who have hit the bottom of life.

We have always believed that God wants us to “be good” and that is the common interpretation of what it means to be in right relationship with God.  This idea not only lends itself to legalism and judgment rather than the giving of mercy but it smacks of the independent will of man which always strives to “go it’s own way”, to find a self-prescribed route that would establish our own sufficiency.  We want to think that we can do it ourselves, that we are able, as we are to please God.  It’s when we demonstrate our humanity by suspending our wars and our fighting, knowing that we will be able to resume our business as usual in due course. 

Presence not presents. I was looking around my home the other day. Elaine was out of the house on business. I noticed as I glanced here and there that the evidence of a wonderful homemaker was everywhere. Not that everything was in it's place (most often my fault), or that there were no dust bunnies floating around (you'd have to look closely to find them) but it was obvious that someone was caring for things. It was that much more obvious to me since I knew that I was not the one. In a very real way my wife's presence was there with me even though physically, she was elsewhere. It was the touch of love abundant that spoke to me in the way that the furnishings were arranged, the pictures that graced the walls and somehow said something about the person who put each one in place. As I looked and thought, and thanked God for His goodness, I wondered then what it would look like if she were not at work in her home to make it a place that ministered to our family. The thought made me shudder and I remembered those who have lost loved ones. The widower whose home is sad and cold from the absence of a homemaker.

Then I began to think about the church and how we can feel the presence of the Divine homemaker even when He may not be there physically. I sense that presence in the night time when everyone has gone home following an evening service. I hear Him somehow when I come in the mornings at times before anyone else is in the building. His presence makes the church house a wonderful home for the prodigals among us. We're all prodigals, the Bible says . . . "all we like sheep have gone astray", in the words of Isaiah.

Let's pray for the Presence of God to grace our hearts this morning and for the wonderful home that He makes for us, his wayward sons and daughters.

2.  Is it about giving or receiving? 

The scripture speaks to us to tell us that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  We find it difficult to receive without feeling obligated to give in return.  There are those who understand that well enough to bind others by their giving.  If you cannot give without the feeling that you deserve to be repaid then you are not truly concerned with others but with yourself.  If you are going to make me a debtor to the kindness that I did not seek then please do not treat me kindly.  I greatly appreciate people’s kindness to me.  I have no expectation that I deserve it and when people give to me there is something within that wants to repay.  Christmas is about receiving from God without intention or hope of ever repaying Him.  You cannot repay Him with your conduct.  There will be times when you will honor Him well by your living.  To honor Him means to cause others to speak well of God.  But you can never repay Him.  But there will be many times when He will not be honored by your life, your attitude, your actions.  Praise to God from lips that really do not honor Him is unacceptable.  It is not the nature of your sacrifice that God finds pleasing but the disposition of your heart.

Psalms 51:15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.  16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

John 1:12

3.  It is a declaration of God’s intentions based on the fulfillment of His Divine promise. 

He delivers according to the promise and in so doing validates and affirms His intentions.  The birth of Christ as we all know came as the fulfillment of a prophecy that was centuries old.  People were looking forward to the fulfillment of this prophecy.  It took place right under their noses and they were oblivious to it.

I Sought Him

I sought Him where my logic led.

"This friend is always sure and right;

His lantern is sufficient light --

I need no star," I said.

I sought Him in the city square.

Logic and I went up and down

The marketplace of many a town,

And He was never there.

I tracked Him to the mind's far rim.

The valiant Intellect went forth

To east and west and south and north,

And found no trace of Him.

We walked the world from sun to sun,

Logic and I, with little Faith,

But never came to Nazareth,

Or found the Holy One.

I sought in vain. And finally,

Back to the heart's small house I crept,

And fell upon my knees, and wept;

And lo! -- He came to me!

 ... Sara Henderson Hay