THE
POLITICS OF CHRISTMAS!
Luke
2:1-7
2
And it came to pass in those days, that there went
out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was
governor of Syria.)
3
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own
city.
4
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the
city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great
with child.
6
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days
were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped
him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room
for them in the inn.
Dr. Charles Stanley said:
“At best, government is second best. At worst, government is stifling,
stripping away human worth.” When we situate Christmas within its real
political climate things turn grey and cold. We feel the fear of travel, the
pain of Mary’s pregnancy riding on a donkey, and the uncaring of Bethlehem
already bloated with those others who were also forced from their homes.
We still have Sadducees among us.
There are those who wear the robes of religion but who are, in fact, nothing
more than a political party that does not believe in the supernatural and whose
goals are to please those in authority for the purpose of peace and prosperity.
They challenge no sin and present no solution for it.
We still have Pharisees.
These are the super saints who strain at gnats and swallow camels. They see sin
in everything and their solution is as oppressive as sin’s consequences. The
absence of grace is abysmal. Their robes are as black as their heart. Their
reward is their own self aggrandizement.
We still have oppressive governments.
The worth of the individual has been stolen and given to the vast pool of
takers who are never satisfied with the taking. Government makes promises it
cannot fulfill. The little that it does provide costs more and more and the
discomfort it produces grows to a miserable level.
Into this cold and grey existence comes a baby
but not just any baby. This is the very Son of God and God the Son! He is the
King of Kings and Lord of Lords although He rests in a bed of straw in the only
silence and comfort that Joseph could procure. The soft light pours over mother
and child while angels sing hallelujah!
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.
Dear Lord, the world is still cold, grey, and
uncaring. Oh, how we need you to burst forth into our darkness. Shine your
light upon us we pray. AMEN
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