The NeverEnding Story (2): participate in
The
birth of Jesus demanded a response. Two
thousand years later, the presence of God, the arrival of Jesus,
still demands a response. Even
people who have never set foot inside a church know the reason
for Christmas—that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus—but
everyone, us included, seems to sort of ignore it when it comes down
to it. In
our culture, Christmas is more of an event about who gets what and
making sure we are clear when asking for what we want. The
truth is, our experiences with Christmas are more cultural than
biblical.
The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35 NIV).
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38 NIV).
And
Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in
God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his
servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the
Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy
extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has
performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are
proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their
thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with
good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his
servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his
descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers” (Luke 1:46-55
NIV).
In
sending His Son, God was doing more than just fulfilling His promise. He
was sending a message: “Once you have responded to Me, will you now
participate with Me?”
God’s
vision is about making things the way they should be. The
beautiful thing about the Christmas story is that God’s vision for
the world is still ongoing. It’s a story that didn’t just happen
thousands of years ago—it is still going on, it’s never-ending. We
need to focus this year on what we give, on what we are able to
offer, on how we are able to participate in God’s picture, and not
on what we get.
Christmas
can remain a relic of the past or it can be something more. We
can participate, and we can give.
It’s
a story that never ends.