What is being Celebrated?...the Wayfarer 12/17/16

What is being Celebrated?
12/17/16

Luke 2:8-11

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Once again, trees are being trimmed with tinsel, lights, decorations of every description and color available, while carols are aired, festive attire chosen for wear, feasts planned and executed with exuberance along with the purchase of gifts that are wrapped and labeled, carefully chosen to accommodate the desires of those to whom they are to be given.

Thought is carefully given to the plans for events to attend, assuring that those events will be recorded for future remembrance to reflect on the joys anticipated as each one is photographed and carefully stored away for that purpose.

This year the weather is in cooperation for many, providing the much sought after “White Christmas” idolized in song and story, also recorded both past and present for posterity by those before us, and handed down to new generations in hope that they too may continue a tradition begun long ago.

Families gather, some from distances not often traveled, to spend time in celebration of that very gathering, remembering for the moment the importance of their relationship to each other, and the importance each has held in the past  within the lives of those gathered, and in hope that that importance continue to be held as those lives diverge and progress.

Traditions are adhered to, lovingly, longingly, some unique to each individual gathering, many common to all of them.

Within the confines of these traditions, sadly lacking in too many of them, is the understanding of the concept of what is supposed to be that which is being celebrated.

The good tidings of great joy conveyed to fearful shepherds are replaced by the expectation of material booty experienced in its place, temporary in nature that lasts but for the moment only to be forgotten until the next “celebration” brings yet more of the same.

What needs celebration is far more lasting in nature, far more important in nature, and should be far better remembered once received and comprehended.

The Magi, whose gifts to that GIFT were recorded for posterity pale in comparison, though their material value were an expression of gratitude for the Gift that was given them, far in excess of ANY material value delivered by, or deliverable by them, to HIM.

Gold, frankincense, myrrh, precious though they were, could not buy what was given us all, freely, as the fearful shepherds were told that night long ago.

That gift of a Savior, Christ Jesus, remains good tidings of great joy to all men willing to accept that gift.

As time has progressed, the importance of that gift has not diminished, though the memory of what was given has been tarnished and dimmed by those who would rather relegate that importance to the past, forgetting its true value, and the expense with which it came.

Sadly that forgetfulness will continue as the value placed on the “gold, frankincense and myrrh” of each generation is seen only in the value of what is deemed valuable by it at the time.

Thankfully the remembrance continues for those who perceive and accept the gift given that day, culminated and coming to fruition as that gift was rejected, crucified and reviled, only to continue as the gift of eternal life through the resurrection of that Savior.

 Revelation 3:14-22

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

¹⁵ I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

¹⁶ So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

¹⁷ Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

¹⁸ I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

²¹ To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

²² He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

The babe born that night so long ago is no longer a babe, the promise made that night has been fulfilled.

The gift given that night remains paramount in value above all gifts given before or since.

Without remembrance of what that gift IS any celebration is celebration of vanity, temporary and passing in nature.

With that remembrance, comes celebration and cause for continuation of good tidings of great joy attainable only with the acceptance of a gift already given, that continues to give through the WAY, TRUTH and LIFE that comprised and comprises that very gift…eternal life for those willing to accept that which is more valuable than gold, frankincense, and myrrh in all of its various iterations.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen 
the Wayfarer