Missing Christmas

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (Matthew 13:10-13 ESV).

Mary and her sister, Susan Mincey, returned recently from a brief junket to New York City. While they were there they were able to see The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Of course, the performance was great, but the pictures they took reminded me of how special the lights and decorations are this time of the year in the city. I do love the way everything seems so special at Christmas. I know there are those who would complain that it is merely the commercialization of Christmas that has led to such wonderful sights; however, aren’t we at least a bit better for it? That thought brought me to today’s reading. I am afraid that too many people miss Christmas because it’s not “pure” enough for them. It’s always been that way. There are at least three in the New Testament who missed Christmas: Perhaps the first to come to mind was the innkeeper. He was so busy; he had a full hotel and so many people with their own agendas and needs. In his mind, there was simply no time or place in his inn for Jesus at Christmas. Others who missed Christmas were the religious leaders around King Herod. When the wise men came inquiring about the birth of a kingly Messiah, the religious leaders told Herod that God’s word said Bethlehem. Yet, they were so focused on staying close to worldly power that they didn’t take God’s word seriously. They missed Jesus at Christmas. Most tragically the one who missed Christmas in the worst way was King Herod. He tried to eliminate Christmas before it could unseat him in his position. He tried to eradicate Jesus completely. People are still seeking to use political power to do that today. Spend some time today and ask yourself, “Will you miss Christmas?” There may be dozens of legitimate reasons that come to mind that would take time away from the real impact Christmas could have in your life. However, I hope you will find Jesus in all the commotion. It is more than worth the effort!