Tough Love
The Christmas narrative, as we discussed a little yesterday (12/16/19), can be taken away from by the sheer volume of distractions this time of year. Nativity Scenes focus on the unique nature of the physical birth of Christ. Christmas songs tell of all the Joy made available to all the world. And Christmas special upon Christmas special remind us of the family-aspects of the season.
I’m not complaining about any of these aspects of the Christmas season, they’re all wonderful byproducts of Christmas.
But as usual, I want to poke into areas that make us uncomfortable. The Christmas narrative, as told by the Bible is 1) all of the above; and 2) equally terrifying. Christmas as we know it cost much more than the discomfort of the stable and a long-while spent in Egypt for Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.
Included with the divine levels of peace and joy are events that show the absolute worst of humanity. All of these horrible acts are directed at the innocent, earthly family that surrounds Jesus and Jesus himself. It gets very dark very quickly:
Matthew 2: 16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.
How many children were killed by Herod’s rampage? How many families broken apart?
I apologize for going down that road – but Herod is an integral part of the Christmas narrative. He is one part that we cannot ignore.
“Why,” you ask?
It shows just how far God was going to go to save us. It proves our value. Herod, in all his herod-ness, shows the power of the light that had entered the world.
All of it for us.
So be warmed by the Christmas happenings, they are a blessing. But do not forget or be distracted from the cost of Christmas. God gave much, so that we may have much.
Matthew 4:14-16
This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah: [15] “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, [16] the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” (NLT)