The Demand of Christmas
“Behold this child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce your through your own soul also ) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:34-35
Through all the Biblical portrayal of the Christmas story one cannot miss the emphasis on the various responses to this helpless baby born in Bethlehem. And, of all the responses, the one of note is that of Herod. Herod is approached by strangers from a strange country. They tell him a most fascinating story. They saw a star and they want to know where the “King of the Jews” is to be born. Herod, instead of rejecting their story as some sort of astronomy gone too far, actually believes it. He not only believes it, it threatens him, and he makes plans to eradicate this child less than two years of age. Herod hears about Christ, believes it, but cannot accept the moral consequence of what the birth of the Messiah means. He does not challenge the Magi, he does not have a shred of doubt about the validity of their claims, but he rejects the Christ. Why? It is because Christ challenges his position. His must now submit to the authority of another. There is born a King who demands the resignation of his autonomy, and the submission of his conscience and that is unacceptable to Herod. I suspect that that is often the case in many rejections of Christ. Christ is rejected not because He is unbelievable, but because the implications are unacceptable.
Simeon, on seeing the Christ child said of His birth, “that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Christmas has always demanded a response! When we are faced with the fact of Christmas, that God in flesh came to die for man in sin, hearts are pierced, and they must respond. Whether we respond like Simeon and Anna in reverence, or like Herod in abhorrence, is more a revelation of our hearts than of anything else.
When John the Baptist was fulfilling his mission of preparing the way for the Lord, His message was “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” When Peter recognized Jesus, he fell at his feet asking Jesus to depart from him, a sinner. When God comes near, our hearts are exposed, and the correct response is repentance. I pray that this Christmas you respond to the call of Christ.
Danesh Manik
Through all the Biblical portrayal of the Christmas story one cannot miss the emphasis on the various responses to this helpless baby born in Bethlehem. And, of all the responses, the one of note is that of Herod. Herod is approached by strangers from a strange country. They tell him a most fascinating story. They saw a star and they want to know where the “King of the Jews” is to be born. Herod, instead of rejecting their story as some sort of astronomy gone too far, actually believes it. He not only believes it, it threatens him, and he makes plans to eradicate this child less than two years of age. Herod hears about Christ, believes it, but cannot accept the moral consequence of what the birth of the Messiah means. He does not challenge the Magi, he does not have a shred of doubt about the validity of their claims, but he rejects the Christ. Why? It is because Christ challenges his position. His must now submit to the authority of another. There is born a King who demands the resignation of his autonomy, and the submission of his conscience and that is unacceptable to Herod. I suspect that that is often the case in many rejections of Christ. Christ is rejected not because He is unbelievable, but because the implications are unacceptable.
Simeon, on seeing the Christ child said of His birth, “that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Christmas has always demanded a response! When we are faced with the fact of Christmas, that God in flesh came to die for man in sin, hearts are pierced, and they must respond. Whether we respond like Simeon and Anna in reverence, or like Herod in abhorrence, is more a revelation of our hearts than of anything else.
When John the Baptist was fulfilling his mission of preparing the way for the Lord, His message was “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” When Peter recognized Jesus, he fell at his feet asking Jesus to depart from him, a sinner. When God comes near, our hearts are exposed, and the correct response is repentance. I pray that this Christmas you respond to the call of Christ.
Danesh Manik
posted by Danesh Manik | 12:47 PM
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