“It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, for the said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.” Mark 14:1-2
Since Jesus’ birth people have been trying to “get rid” of Him. Herod tried to by killing all males two years old and younger. The people at Bethlehem tried to throw Jesus off a cliff. And then we have the priests, the scribes, and the Pharisees tried to get rid of Him by putting him to death for blasphemy.
This morning, one of our brothers said that God is spirit and all the Christmas trees and such are not how we should worship or recognize the birth of Jesus. There is some merit to that, but, we are also physical beings with eyes and ears, noses and tongues. And God made a wonderful creation that attests to His glory1 All the twinkling lights and trees and sugar cookies and candles - all the trappings of the Christmas celebration - are part of Creation in one way or another and can attest to God’s majesty and grandeur. The danger comes when we “get rid of Jesus” and focus on the created thing rather than the creator.
Because Jesus ascended into heaven the world cannot kill Him but it still tries to “get rid of him:” Christ-Mass becomes “Christmas,” and then Christmas becomes just another holiday in the “Holiday Season.” But, here’s the thing, greater powers than Amazon, Apple, Coca-Cola, Samsung, or any of the nefarious forces of secularism, have tried to “get rid of Jesus” and all have failed. Herod failed. The Jewish authorities failed. Satan failed. Death itself failed. Kings, governments, and other religions have all failed. You just can’t get rid of the guy because the Church endures. Sure, a person can reject faith, but that is on them and they will receive the consequences. But get rid of Jesus? It’s not going to happen because He said it would not.2
If Jesus is missing from Christ, don’t blame Santa. Look inward.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I give you thanks you gave your Son to us as the greatest gift we could ever have - God with us. Help us to remain with Him as he remains with us. Lord Holy Spirit, help us to stay faithful to Christ Jesus and through this season never forget who and what we celebrate. Lord Jesus, I thank you for my salvation. Stay with me always. Amen.
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[a] in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock[a] I will build my church, and the gates of hell[b] shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:16-18
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20