“Daddy, are all these people Christians?” Holly was Oooing and Aaahing at all the Christmas lights in the neighborhood. “No, honey, I’m sure they’re not.”
The little exchange stimulated my thinking. I began to meditate on why so many who deny Christ His rightful place of Lordship in their hearts and homes enter so enthusiastically into the celebration of His birth. The world is full of “inn-keepers” who have no room for Jesus except for a few weeks in December.
Why do so many who do not know Christ celebrate His birth?
There is no doubt that some are motivated by greed, to them Christmas is a time to turn a handsome profit.
Others are unquestionably caught up in the revelry of it. The flesh loves a party–even if it doesn’t know why. Thousands will use any excuse to drink and carouse and indulge their fleshly appetites.
Still others celebrate the season–its a sort of quasi-religious family custom no one is positive why its done but it’s been done for so long that everyone keeps doing it for no apparent reason. Some have fuzzy ideas and ideals of giving, love and good will, but so few have embraced the sovereign Lord and King of Kings of the Scriptures who’s humble entry to planet earth is the reason for Christmas.
But my spirit told me there must be something more. Though there are many who celebrate because of greed or the flesh or tradition there must be something more–is it possible, I thought, that there is a fragment of hope in even the most cynical hearts. Hope that there is something to this ancient story that God became a man to rescue him from the pain and penalty and power and presence of sin?
I am convinced that the lights and colors and songs and carols and candles and chimes and bells and greetings and gifts and glory of Christmas trigger hope in the human heart.
Hope that real, lasting change is possible. Hope for peace in a world torn with bloody and violent conflict.
Hope for an eternal kingdom rising out of confusion and anarchy.
Hope for right when so many things are wrong.
Hope for love in a society saturated with self-absorption.
Hope for purity in a cesspool of defilement.
Hope for relief from the pain and antagonism of a defiled conscience.
Hope for fulfillment when so many are empty.
Is it possible that on these December nights, all around the world an ember of hope glows in millions of hearts –hope rooted in the proclamation echoing among the Judean hills 2,000 years ago–a tiny manger–some displaced animals–astonished shepherds and a little town pre-occupied with other things?
Hope Is Alive
By Kenneth L. Pierpont
Hope is alive in the world tonight
It’s Christmas time again,
The bell tower rings
the organ sings
and hope takes wings,
It’s Christmas time again.
Hope is alive in the world tonight
It’s Christmas time again,
The home-fires glow
joys overflow
and hope can grow,
It’s Christmas time again.
Hope is alive in the world tonight
It’s Christmas time again,
Though much is wrong
We have a song
and hope is strong,
It’s Christmas time again.
Hope is alive in the world tonight
It’s Christmas time again,
When there’s no cure
you can be sure
hope will endure,
It’s Christmas time again.
Hope is alive in the world tonight
It’s Christmas time again,
When heartaches wane,
the King will reign
hope will remain,
It’s Christmas time again.
