SUCH A STRANGE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD

 

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  (Luke 2:8-11)

I saw the final movie in the Hobbit trilogy recently, that—along with the Lord of the Rings series—completes the Tolkien Middle-earth saga.  In Tolkien’s masterful works, he portrays a world where dark forces are persistently trying to enslave its inhabitants.  On that dark side there are goblins, orcs, trolls and such, and opposing them are dwarves, elves, men and the like—but the dwarves, elves and men are too easily corrupted by the offer of power and the lure of wealth.  They are too weak to save the world.  Therefore, the most unlikely of heroes is required—those who would be the weakest of all—hobbits!  The furry-footed little fellows, who much prefer gardening to soldiering, and whose hands are better suited to a spade than a sword, are the key to defeating the forces of evil. 

Doubtless, Tolkien was drawing out of his theologically informed worldview.  This storyline of the most unlikely doing the most heroic, and of the weak overcoming the strong, is a theme recurrent in Scripture.  It might be an eighty year old fugitive employed by his father-in-law—a fellow named Moses—who had flunked out on his one attempt to liberate his people that would be sent to finish the job—and he did!  Then, there was a timid soul named Gideon, who nearly jumped out of his skin when the Angel of the Lord appeared with an assignment to overthrow the Midianite oppressors, where he essentially would respond, “Who me?  You’ve got to be kidding!”  Then God sent him at the head of an army of 300 to assault a horde, armed with torches and clay pots!  Recall the least obvious of Jesse’s sons that would be anointed the next king?  His name was David—and the shepherd boy would go to fight the ten-foot champion of the Philistines, and kill him with a slingshot!  It would be a rag-tag bunch of fishermen, a tax collector, a member of a group advocating the violent overthrow of Rome, and others so obscure that all we know is their names, that would be selected as Apostles and help change the course of history!

However, the greatest example of the most unlikely heroes that would accomplish the most extraordinary task would be those featured in the Christmas story: a peasant carpenter named Joseph, a young virgin named Mary, a bunch of despised shepherds, and most importantly, a Baby cradled in a manger.  As Michael Card, and others have sung, “This Is Such A Strange Way to Save the World.”  Indeed!  That most unlikely Savior—God wrapped up in newborn skin—would grow up to exchange that cradle of straw for a cross of suffering, and through that scandalous execution would bring salvation—and in the act of His sacrifice crush the old Serpent’s head—assuring the overthrow of evil forever!  This is such a strange way to save the world!

Now, could it be that even as God used shepherds to be the first to proclaim this Gospel, that He would use people like us to do the same in our time?  That is most certainly God’s plan for His people today.  You may think you have little ability to stand against the vast forces of darkness that are arrayed against the church, but the reality is that God is not looking for ability, so much as availability!  On this Christmas Day, standing on the threshold of a New Year, with challenges abounding and evil growing, let us bow to the One born in a stable and share the message of good news to a world filled with bad news.  Victory is near!  What a strange way to save the world!

HOW TO HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY

All during this holiday season, we will hear the words, “Merry Christmas!”  Yet, for many the hustle and bustle of activity, elbowing through crowded malls, elevating your balance on credit cards into the stratosphere—all this and more will lead some to be more on the mad side than the merry side.  Others will not be mad, but sad—due to a death of a loved one, a disappointment they have experienced, a disease they are struggling with, a dearth of financial resources, or other reasons—and their theme song is, “Blue Christmas.”  None can deny the very real struggles and strain that may arise during this time of year.  Yet, I believe we can still choose to rejoice in our Redeemer’s birth and express it with a sincere, “Merry Christmas!”

How can “Merry Christmas” be more than words?  The first twelve verses of Matthew, chapter two give us insight.

SEEK THE RIGHT PERSON (v.1-2).  The Magi came to seek the Savior.  They met Herod. They heard from some scribes.  There were a lot of important people around—including Joseph and Mary—but the singular pursuit of the Wise Men was the Christ Child.

Little children will be seeking Santa.  For adults, family and friends gathering together is special.  We have to race to this party or that function—grandma’s, our parent’s house, and so on. Just don’t forget that Christmas is about Christ—seeking Him.  If you get that relationship right, the others will take care of themselves.

SEE THE RIGHT PLACE (v.3-9).  The Magi didn’t travel to Rome and Caesar’s imperial palace, and even though they stopped in Jerusalem, they didn’t take time to visit the Temple, and didn’t stay any longer than necessary in the capital.  They came to Bethlehem—that obscure village—because that was the focal point of God’s activity.

Don’t feel like you have to be in the middle of the crowd this December to experience the work of God in your life.  We must not insist on being in a prominent place, but in the center of God’s will for our lives.  Is it possible we might encounter God in a soup kitchen at the homeless shelter?  Might we know more joy in Christmas by spending time with a widow, consoling her in her loneliness?  You might be surprised!

SET THE RIGHT PRIORITY (v.10-12).  The Wise Men worshipped Christ with exceeding joy!  They presented their costly gifts to Him.

If you seek happiness in the holidays as your goal, you may miss it.  Rather, a merry Christmas is a by-product of seeking the Lord Christ.  Remember what Jesus said about priorities?  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Merry Christmas!