Christmas thoughts from Peru

Today is Christmas 2009 and outside it is 90 degrees! Now, I grew up in Michigan and Florida during my childhood. I remember my Christmas years in Michigan were snowy and cold. From snow forts, to sledding, to snow ball fights and even snowmobiles! Then we moved to Florida and things got a bit warmer, but yes, even in Florida it snowed in Dec of 1989 in North Port, Florida! Nothing really stuck to the ground, but I remember being outside and it flurrying...technically that is snow!!

I remember growing up and Christmas really being about me. My mom (not to her fault) would shower me with gifts...lots of gifts...and those have led to fond memories I carry with me today and even look forward to doing the same to my own children someday. I also liked the planning and shopping for friends and family and the anticipation of them opening up the gift(s) I had planned and even schemed to pull things off sometimes.

I remember Christmas dinners that my mom would work so hard at putting together after all the presents were opened...she would disappear into the kitchen for an all afternoon venture in prepping Christmas dinner...and 9 times out of 10 it was prime rib...you can't argue with that!!

Now today, spending my 3rd Christmas alone and my 2nd in Peru as a single person...it gives some good time for introspect. Last year, I will have to admit that waking up to an empty house (cuz the roomies had Christmas plans) was not a lot of fun. This year though, waking up today to an empty house...is not that bad. Those memories of the cold, snow, shopping, planning, presents, travels, and the joys of being around family for Christmas morning do not compare to the knowledge of WHY we are really celebrating this holiday. It is about the birth of Jesus. Christ did come in the form a babe to this earth as was set forth by God in a promise in Genesis 3:15 and for thousands of years God kept that promise and four hundred years after the last prophet spoke...Christ was born...God in the flesh. I am in awe as I think about this today...

How long will this Gospel message be so freely received in the world? Christmas is celebrated by people all over the world...yet some celebrate facing trouble and attacks. This week alone I read about trouble for Christians in Pakistan and Iraq...not to mention the tension in the US with regards to "religious" symbols during the holiday season. As a matter of fact...this morning CNN.com had a front page article that read "Was Jesus born into Wealth?"

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/12/25/RichJesus/index.html

If you read the article is a presentation of the "Prosperity Gospel vs. The Traditional Gospel" Why in the world address that now, on Christmas morning. I feel the world is getting less and less tolerant of Christians and feel in my gut that hard times are coming for believers.

Christmas is not about cold weather, it is not about shopping and unwrapping gifts and everything materialistic we, as fallen people, have turned it into. But in reality, Christmas is about honoring a date on our calendar where God after thousands of years kept a promise he made in Genesis 3:15

"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." (ESV)

And Isaiah 9:6-7 says:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Don't get me wrong...cold weather, shopping, and unwrapping gifts this morning would have been splended! BUT...there is something bigger to this day. We celebrate and rejoice that God kept his promise and Jesus was born...our savior.

Marshall