So, Christmas is three days away. Are you exhausted yet? Shopping, wrapping, planning, preparing food, cleaning, kids’ concerts and pageants, traveling, visiting, hosting…is it any wonder that this is one of the most stressful times of year. Sometimes it seems like Christmas is all about things. We say that it’s better to give than to receive, but either act is focused on materialism. Is that all Christmas is about? Just the presents. Getting what we hope for, giving what others will appreciate the most?
Has anyone bothered asking, what does Jesus want for His birthday?
Funny thing is, He tells us what He’d like. Micah 6:8 says: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Act justly. That doesn’t mean that we’re supposed to become self-appointed administers of justice. God’s vigilantes. We are not supposed to force people to do right or to make sure they’re punished for doing wrong. It’s not my job to speed up and cut off somebody who just cut me off or who wouldn’t let me into their lane even when I signaled and everything. That’s not acting justly. That’s trying to be God.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” That’s not just another old saying, that’s Jesus from Matthew 7:1.
Acting justly does not mean controlling others. It means showing some self control. It means doing the right thing, not because it will get me something, not even because it’s what God tell us to do, but just doing it because it’s the right thing to do.
Love mercy. You think Jesus does a touchdown dance in the end-zone every time a convict is executed? Does He raise a foam finger in the air and shout “score one for the good guys” every time a terrorist is caught or shot? Does He really want to rub people’s face in it when they get caught doing wrong or when the law finally catches up with them?
Just the opposite. Jesus doesn’t scream at people. He doesn’t slander His opponents. He doesn’t bomb anything. In fact, 2 Peter 3:9 says: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
What does it mean to be humble? In Philippians 2:3-8 Paul tells us, “Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what… He set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!... He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death--and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.” (from Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase, “the Message.”)
That humble baby in the manger born on Christmas loved mercy and loved us so much that He acted justly all His life and finally gave up His life for us, so that we can take a closer walk with Him.
THAT’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
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