Ed Stetzer offers thoughts on the paradox he sees growing in Evangelical circles: Church planting and other ministry initiatives are on the rise, while evangelism is suffering a downward slide.
Stetzer: Downward Slide
J.C. Ryle on the Incarnation
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1.14
Anglican Bishop J.C. Ryle elaborates on these words to deepen our appreciation for the Incarnation of Christ:
The plain meaning of these words is, that our divine Savior really took human nature upon Him, in order to save sinners. He really became a man like ourselves in all things, sin only excepted. Like ourselves, he was born of a woman, though born in a miraculous manner. Like ourselves, he grew from infancy to boyhood, and from boyhood to man’s estate, both in wisdom and in stature (Luke 2.52). Like ourselves he hungered, thirsted, ate, drank, slept, was wearied, felt pain, wept, rejoiced, marveled, and was moved to anger and to compassion. Having become flesh, and taken a body, He prayed, read the Scriptures, suffered being tempted, and submitted His human will to the will of God the Father. And finally, in the same body, He really suffered and shed his blood, really died, was really buried, really rose again and really ascended up into heaven. And yet all this time He was God as well as man!
Nowhere, perhaps, shall we find a more wise and judicious statement than in the second article of the Church of England. ‘The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father, the very and eternal God, and of one substance with the Father, took man’s nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin of her substance: so that two whole and perfect natures, were joined together in one Person, that is to say, the Godhead and the manhood were joined together in one person, never to be never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very man.’
The Meaning of Christmas
This is still one of the best explanations of the meaning of Christmas anyone can hear. Thank you, Linus! (And Thank you, Charles Schultz!)
Christmas Mythology
There are no shortages of claims that Christmas, and Christianity, is based upon the ancient myths of other cultures. I appreciate the work of the folks at Lutheran Satire for so humorously dispelling those claims.
Round Yon Virgin
Some of the more curious lyrics to songs seem to be evident in some of the best known Christmas-time hymns. At least it seems that way to me.
Perhaps the cause is sometimes from lack of attention. For instance, as a kid I was certain that the prolonged “glo-r-ia, in excelsius deo” of Angels We Have Heard on High was somehow about Oreo cookies. I was in my early 20’s before I gave it enough thought and discovered the Latin lingo. (Truth be told, even now knowing I still hear “O-re-o” echo in my head whenever the song is sung.)
But sometime it is not lack of attention, but archaic language that causes the confusion. One such example may be some of the words to the song Silent Night, sung at the conclusion of many Christmas Eve services, as candles are being lighted all throughout the sanctuaries. The folks from Mental Floss have shed some light on the odd phrases of that popular tune:
The “round” in Silent Night might call up imagery of the soft, maternal kind, but in the phrase “round yon virgin,” it simply means “around.” “Yon” is an antiquated word for “that one” or “over there.” The meaning of the phrase in the song depends on the line before it. It should be understood in the context “all is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child.” In other words “Everything is calm and bright around that virgin mother over there and her child.” In technical terms, “round yon virgin mother and child” is a prepositional phrase.
So now we know. The words do not describe a pregancy weight gain, or some other kind of personal allusion, but rather an idylic bucolic serenity that accompanied the Prince of Peace into this world.
The Glory of God’s Incarnation
Martin Luther expresses his appreciation of Christmas, not just that Jesus was born, but how and to whom he was born:
If Christ had arrived with trumpets and lain in a cradle of gold, His birth would have been a splendid affair. But it would not be a comfort to me. He was, rather, to lie in the lap of a poor maiden and be thought to be of little significance in the eyes of the world. Now I can come to Him. Now He reveals Himself to the miserable in order not to give any impression that He arrives with great power, splendor, wisdom, and aristocratic manners. But upon His return, on that Day when He will oppose the high and the mighty, it will be different. Now He comes to the poor, who need a Savior; but then He will come as a Judge against those who are persecuting Him now. ~ from a sermon from 1530
Remember Christ dwelt with us in humility so that we might approach him receiving the covenant of peace which he secured for us by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1.19-20)
The Gift & The Giver
Paul Tripp reminds us that the greatest Christmas gift anyone could possibly receive has already been given to us – by the Living and True God. And the greatest gift, which God has given to us, is God himself.
We 3 Kings
You probably know the song, We Three Kings of Orient Are:
We three kings of orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain,
Moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
The song is based upon the account of the Magi, in Matthew 2. And though it may be a little less than an accurate account, it is still among my favorites during the Christmas season.
What is inaccurate? For one thing, there is no reason to assume there were only three Magi. The three is largely assumed because of the mention of three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. There very well could have been, and very likely were, far more guys in the caravan than those lonely determined three. That is just one example. There are at least a few other somewhat trivial issues. But otherwise, while the song may be a little fanciful, there is nothing seriously erroneous about it.
But more important than a few questionable lyrics is a greater question: “What are some things we can learn from the three Magi mentioned in the song?” To answer this question we can benefit from a helpful little piece Martin Downes wrote a few years ago for Against Heresies: We Three Kings.
Check it out, and give it some thought. And remember, this is not a story limited to Christmas. After all, the Wise Men themselves did not actually arrive to their destination until some time after that first Christmas Day. So this is a story worth pondering well into the New Year.
The Cry of a Tiny Baby
A lyrical contemporary retelling of the Christmas story. Music by Bruce Cockburn.
The Nativity
by C.S. Lewis
Among the oxen (like an ox I’m slow)
I see a glory in the stable grow
Which, with the ox’s dullness might at length
Give me an ox’s strength.
Among the asses (stubborn I as they)
I see my Saviour where I looked for hay;
So may my beastlike folly learn at least
The patience of a beast.
Among the sheep (I like a sheep have strayed),
I watch the manger where my Lord is laid;
Oh that my baa-ing nature would win thence
Some woolly innocence!
The Christmas Distraction
Jared Wilson counsels:
There is a great danger this Christmas season of missing the point. And I’m not referring simply to idolatrous consumption and materialism. I’m talking about Christmas religiosity. It is very easy around this time to set up our Nativity scenes, host our Christmas pageants and cantatas, read the Christmas story with our families, attend church every time the door is open, and insist to ourselves and others that Jesus is the reason for the season, and yet not see Jesus. With the eyes of our heart, I mean.
I suppose there is something about indulging in the religious Christmas routine that lulls us into thinking we are dwelling in Christ when we are really just set to seasonal autopilot, going through the festive and sentimental motions. Meanwhile the real person Jesus the Christ goes neglected in favor of his plastic, paper, and video representations. Don’t get distracted from Jesus by “Jesus.” This year, plead with the Spirit to interrupt your nice Christmas with the power of Jesus’ gospel.
This is Christmas
Check out this simple, original Christmas song by my old, dear friend, Ginny Owens. You can also check out Ginny’s Christmas Album, Bring Us Peace, on I-tunes.
Healthy Couples Don’t…
An article by Ruthie Dean, appearing in Relevant Magazine, offers helpful marriage advice from the negative side – i.e. 8 Things Healthy Couple DON’T Do:
- Healthy Couples Don’t Post Negatively About Each Other on Social Media
- Healthy Couples Don’t Make Their Career a Priority Rather Than Their Relationship
- Healthy Couples Don’t Have All Their ‘Together-Time’ With Technology
- Healthy Couples Don’t Avoid Hard Subjects
- Healthy Couples Don’t Punish One Another
- Healthy Couples Don’t Withhold Forgiveness
- Healthy Couples Don’t Say ‘Yes’ to Everything
- Healthy Couples Don’t Throw In the Towel
Read more of what Ruthie has to say, including the details that accompany her list, at: 8 Thing Healthy Couples Don’t Do
5 Questions to Read the Bible With Heart & Mind
Tremper Longman summarizes the entire thrust of his book, Reading the Bible With Heart & Mind, in five simple questions:
1. What does this passage of the Bible teach me about God and my relationship with Him?
2. What does this passage tell me about how God has acted in the past?
3. How does this passage change the way I think about the world and how does it impact the way I live my life?
4. How has God chosen to communicate these truths to me through the Scriptures?
5. How does this passage present Christ?
Great questions to help us get the most of our Bible study.
The Santa Question
Years ago, as a newly minted minister in my first year out of seminary, I made an off-the-cuff comment in one of my Christmas season messages. I don’t recall exactly what I said, but it was something to the effect of: “I don’t really care what you do with Santa”. My intent was to demonstrate that Christmas Santa is nothing when compared to the Christmas Child – Jesus.
Honestly, I thought I made my point. If I had it to do over – and I do get to do it over every year – I would still say the same thing. But not everyone shares my perspective on this issue.
The next day, along with our regular mail, in our mailbox was a hand delivered, unstamped letter, from a man in the congregation. It was thick. Nearly 10 pages – each of which made the same point from various angles: I had been derelict in my responsibility to the congregation by giving any wiggle room for families to include Santa Claus in their Christmas traditions. At least that was his take. (Frankly, he was a pretty uptight guy about a lot of issues.) Believe it or not, he even used the lame “Re-arrange the letters of Santa = Satan” rationale.
While my view has not changed, and I would still not hesitate to say something similar in a Christmas message, what has changed is my appreciation that not everyone shares my view on this matter. And over the years I have been asked a number of times by conscientious parents how Christian families should deal with the Santa Question. I try to be more sensitive to the fact that there are several appropriate perspectives.
I recently read a piece by John Murchison touching on this very subject. He observes: “As parents who want our kids to worship Jesus and have fun at Christmas, it can be hard to know if Santa should be included in our traditions, and if so, to what degree.” I agree.
Murchison observes, “I know of four different types of families when it comes to Santa”:
- Families who do not include Santa in any of their Christmas celebrations
- Families who tell their kids up front that Santa is “a fun game that we all play at Christmas”
- Families who focus on the “historical” Santa, St. Nick
- Families who go all-in on Santa
Murchison concludes: “I believe that any of these options can be valid options for a family, as long as two guidelines are followed”:
- Jesus must be more prominent in your home than Santa at Christmas.
- When “the Santa question” comes, don’t lie to your kids.
I concur. Murchison wisely and concisely gives counsel, without elevating his own view.
In our home, we never really did anything with Santa. We never encouraged belief in him, nor did we ever instruct our children against him. Never did they receive a gift with Santa’s name on the tag. While our children were certainly aware of Santa because of the symbols that permeate our culture this time of year, not the least of which are the Christmas season television specials, which we did allow them to watch if they wanted, none of our kids ever really thought much about Santa. Our focus was always on God’s gift to us in the sending of his Son. (See Galatians 4.4-5)
I appreciate Murchison’s ultimate insight, which is in line with the counsel I would want to offer to anyone wondering about The Santa Question:
As long as you’re praying, reading Scripture, and searching out wise counsel, then I believe that you should follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the convictions that He places on your hearts.
And like Murchison, “I pray that our homes will be filled with talk of Jesus and His birth this season, whatever you decide about Santa.”
To read John Murchison’s article, click: The Santa Question
GRACE & PEACE 