tis the season or is there a reason
Well, the Christmas season is again upon us. The magic time of year where peace on earth, goodwill towards man rings loud, yet hollow. Just look around, consumerism being more the driver. But is there a reason other than the nebulousness of the jolly fat one we call Santa: In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.” I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:1-20)
Which begs: What is real? Example: An illusionist’s goal is to make the unbelievable, believable. Through the magic of obfuscation, they flip the script of reality and perform stunts that have people seeing the unbelievable and accepting it as believable. Tricks unfathomable yet made completely plausible. The performer, duping audiences into accepting illusions as reality. Which brings us back to the Christmas story: Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too (Luke 2:34 – 35).
Conversely, isn’t a legislator’s (and religions) goal the same as an illusionist’s? The only check and balance being WE THE PEOPLE on one side, and congregants on the other, understanding: The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him (Jesus). And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts: for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 17:14-15).
Thus, might the key to every word of this piece reflect one’s heart daily, actions more important than words? Especially in those who lead. I believe America to be a God inspired nation, with secularism today, stretching the limits of morality and control to become as nebulous as Santa himself, whereby anything goes. The love of money, and the quest for power the driving force in reimagining the balance. Like two components that support life as we know it: The air we breathe and the gravity that keeps us planted on earth. Change one microcosmical aspect of either one’s makeup and life as we understand the concept ceases to exist. Thus, without knowledge of our framing documents, or the complete dismissal of biblical precepts, the same thought process applies to America being America, understanding: Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1).
As Americans, we were each “endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable Rights, ….” Our government unable to provide them but commanded to protect them. Except, most are now desirous of government providing them. Only, once it does, it will also have the power to define or take them. I used to believe “seeing is believing.” But like an illusionist’s trick, to just see and believe will have detrimental effects. So, I choose to believe and thus see, hoping my words and actions will be the difference in the lives they reach: Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen yet have believed” (John 20:29). Always remember, our children’s futures depend on our words and actions today. And while no one knows the exact date of Jesus’ birth, there is a reason for this season, including a design of intent. Anyway, don’t lose sight of it but make it a daily endeavor.