What About the Rest of the Story?

We just celbrated the Christmas holiday on the December 25. However, there are many trends that should disturb the dedicated Christian. How many of us listened and truly paid attention to the songs that were played over the radio, at resteraunts, or in stores? Did anyone pay attention to the lawn decorations or those that were sold in stores such as Wal-mart?

In many of the places that I shopped, I saw Christmas trees, ornaments for the same, lots of garland and tinsel, but almost nothing concerning the birth of our Lord in Bethlehem. I do not know that I saw one manger scene in the stores. Santa was very much in evidence in song and display, but no Christ child. Lots of lights, but no stable.

I listened to the radio, and I only heard two songs repeated on most of the secular stations. Those were 'Little Drummer Boy' and 'Do You See What I See'. Many of the more traditional Christmas hymns were sadly lacking, or if played, were only instrumental in composition.

The real problem is that we lost focus concerning the true purpose of Christmas. The birth of Jesus has no place in our understanding, without the knowledge that we are all sinners condemned to death. It has no context if one fails to consider the Cross, where Jesus took our curse and sins for us. Neither of these have any meaning without the resurrection and hope of His return.

Christianity has become so consumed with the commercialism that afflicts the culture, that it easier to see Jesus as the little babe in a manger, rather than the suffering Lamb being offered for our sins. It is easier to forget about Him at that point rather than face the truth about ourselves when we neglect to live by even His most basic precepts.

The reason that the culture does not enjoy the old hymns is simply that churches do not appreciate them any more. Both the secular and religious cultures have decided to write new songs that make us feel good about ourselves. There is no calling to account that we were the ones who caused God to come to earth as a man, bleed upon the Cross, and die in our stead. "Joy to the World', 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing', 'It came upon a Midnight Clear', 'O Little Town of Bethlehem', and many others remind us that we are sinners, Christ came to die to deliever us from sin, and that He is our Sovereign and Lord.

We enjoy singing the songs at this time of year, because they are filled with joy, hope, and love. However, it should always be remembered that only two Gospels dealt with His birth, but all four speak of His death. He said that His death was the reason that He came. He was born so that all men would have the opportunity to repent.

The truth of Christmas is the same as that of Easter. God was manifest in the flesh. He came to convict the world of sin while remaining pure. He then took our sins to the Cross and died. Three days later He rose from that grave so that we might know the hope of life eternal. He then walked the earth for many days and was seen by many of His disciples (far more than just the original 12), ascended to Heaven, and will be returning again as the Judge of all mankind.

The question is not what will you do about that babe in the manger, but will you submit to the King that was born on that day so very long ago? What will you do with the rest of the story?