One of my primary goals while supervising emergency medicine residents was teaching them to correctly diagnose the medical problem. However, the chaotic atmosphere of the emergency department had the potential to distract student physicians. For instance, a bleeding leg in a severely traumatized patient could absorb their attention while other truly life-threatening issues were at hand. Temporarily ignoring injuries related to the airway, the lungs and the heart could be catastrophic! Missing the most important point could have terrible consequences!
The same can happen at Christmas. Activity at a blinding speed can cause me to miss the point of the season. Attending choir concerts, enjoying Christmas parties, buying Christmas presents are all enjoyable. However, focusing on activity rather than the person whose birthday we celebrate leaves me empty.
Sometimes we lose Jesus in other areas of life as well. Without the absolutes and principles found in the person of Jesus:
- Legal systems may forfeit truth and justice
- Economic principles and decisions begin to value profit over people
- Healthcare systems easily loses compassion – acts of mercy become rare commodities
- Governments of the world encourage power and position over reconciliationand trust
As important as the principles of Jesus are in these arenas, He did not come at Christmas to rescue governments, healthcare systems, or economies. Jesus entered time and space to rescue us. Let us not miss the point of Christmas. Believing, trusting and obeying should be our response to Jesus, our Savior, this Christmas season. O, come let us adore Him.
"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.'" (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)
Sharing the journey with you,
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