JOY TO THE WOLD!

JOY TO THE WOLD!

Matt 2:1-2

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

           Try to imagine a darkened bar room in some forlorn tavern. The room is filled with a blue cigarette haze and the revelers are listening to “Christmas music” from a local station.  From the ceiling speaker one can hear “Joy to the world the Lord is come. Let earth receive her king! Let every heart prepare Him room.” The dismal patron at the bar pays it no mind and sucks a long pull from his cigarette while contemplating his mug of beer which has lost its frothy foam.

           In  a run down living room of a tumble down house family members sit in hushed silence as one church after another is called asking for assistance because “we are poor folks and the kids won’t have Christmas without your help.” The phone is placed gently in its cradle and the room erupts in cheering because the church has promised fifty dollars and a bag of groceries. The room returns to silence as another number is dialed. This will be repeated many times. In the background the familiar Christmas song plays unheeded: “No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground.”

Matt 4:16

16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

John 1:4-5

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Those who continue to sit in darkness while clutching a lantern are fools. The lantern is a burden to them! Only when they light the lantern can they safely navigate the darkness.