Birthday Celebrations
December 17, 2010
My birthday is coming up in February. For as long as I can remember, whenever my birthday has approached, people have always asked the same questions in an effort to discover what I would like to eat, what I would like to do and what I would like to receive for my birthday.
The worst birthday imaginable, for me, would be one that started with a visit to the dentist for a root canal and included: being required to go the entire day without an internet connection, receiving a subscription to a romance novel book-club, being served a dinner of liver and onions with a side of cottage cheese, watching a sappy chick flick and going to bed without any dessert.
The celebration of Jesus’ birthday is coming up in a few days. As Christmas approaches I am sure most of us have considered questions regarding what WE would like to receive, and where WE would like to go and what WE would like to eat and do on His “birthday”. Have you considered what HE would want?
Why do we celebrate birthdays? Is it not to honor and bless the one whose birthday is being celebrated? Typically, when we plan a birthday celebration, the objective is not to satisfy our own pleasures and desires. The objective is to please and honor the one who was born on that date. Why, then, is the celebration of Christ’s birth so typically atypical? How much of what you will do this year in celebration of His birth will be done without any regard to what HE would want but only with thoughts of what you want, what would satisfy your needs, and what would be pleasing to you?
Perhaps, though, you are not as overtly self-focused at Christmas and most of what you do is focused on satisfying the needs of others and pleasing them. There was a time in my life when I was alarmed to discover that the holidays, Christmas in particular, were my least favorite time of year. As a Pastor, I had allowed myself to become so intent on making the celebration of Christ’s birth “special and meaningful” for others that I was too overloaded and worn out to give much thought to how I could make my celebration of His birth meaningful for HIM. Think about this Christmas — strip away everything that you have planned to do for others and for yourself in making this a wonderful holiday. What remains when you consider only what it is that you are doing for HIM, in celebration of His birthday?
Well then, what is an appropriate way to celebrate the Savior’s birth?
It so obvious that I hesitate to mention it, but perhaps we should take a page from the notebook of the ancient Magi. Notably, these men did not give gifts to one another in celebration of Jesus’ birth. They brought gifts to Him; Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. These men did not come to “party”, they came to “bow and worship.” Perhaps the place to start, then, is to think about the gifts that we can bring Him and the worship that we will offer Him.
The prophet Micah would suggest that the way to celebrate His birth and to honor Him is to acknowledge His provision for our sin by receiving the salvation that He has provided; and to show our gratitude, not by showering ourselves and others with ribboned gifts, gaily bedecked homes and sumptuous meals… but by acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with Him; offering him the gifts of obedience, worship and praise … indeed, offering Him the gift which He purchased with His own blood … but which we sometimes withhold from Him … the gift of ourselves to be used in His service.
God sent His Son into the world that we might be saved! That’s what we celebrate! And that is likely the best kept secret about Christmas. What Christmas “is” has been obscured beneath all the accumulated layers of what Christmas “has become”. Perhaps, then, one of the best gifts we can give Him at Christmas is a determination to peel away the layers and share with someone the old, old story of Jesus and His Love.
At last, the shepherds watching, beside their flocks one night, Were startled in the darkness by a strange and heavenly light. One of the holy angels had come from heaven above, To tell that new, new story, of Jesus and His love. He came to bring “glad tidings”: “You must not, need not, fear; For Christ, your new-born Savior, lies in a village near.” Then many other angels took up the glad refrain; “On High to God be Glory, Good-will, and Peace, to men.” And was it true—that Story? They went at once to see, And they found Him in a manger, and they knew that it was He. He whom the Father promised, so many ages past, Had come to save poor sinners; Yes, He had come at last! He was “content to do it”, to seek and to save the lost, Although He knew beforehand— knew all that it would cost! But hush! the tale grows sadder: I’ll tell it—if I can! This gentle, holy Jesus, without a spot or stain, By wicked hands was taken, was crucified, was slain! Look! look!—if you can bear it— Look at your dying Lord! Stand near the Cross and watch Him: “Behold the Lamb of God!” O wonderful Redemption! God’s Remedy for sin! The Door of Heaven is open, and you may enter in! For God released our “Surety,” to show the work was done; And Jesus’ resurrection declared the victory won! And now, He has ascended, and He sits upon the Throne, “To be a Prince and Savior,” and to claim us for His own. Now, if this simple message has now brought peace to you, Then tell “the old, old story,” for others need it too. Let everybody know it, that Christ has made you free; Soon, soon, our eyes shall see Him! and, then in heaven above, We’ll sing that “old, old Story of Jesus and His love!”“Tell Me the Old, Old Story” – Katherine Hankey (this represents excerpted selections from her longer poem of 50 verses. See the entire work at http://kinnexions.com/smlsource/story.htm)
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