We go home today, 12/18/11. We spent the weekend house and dog sitting. McKenzie turned out to be a nice dog. We walked her two miles, twice a day, with a short walk in between. It turned out to be rather exhilarating, especially this brisk December, but its 12/18/11 and time to go home.
Today is 12/18/11 and Christmas, the day God became human is one week away. In the turmoil, rush and unfortunate anxiety of the holiday season we rush by what it’s all about. Can you wrap your mind and heart around the God of the Universe, the God of everything that was, is, and will be, becoming human?
Who can fathom God going to the cross out of love for you and me? Who can fathom God first taking on flesh, out of love for you and me?
12/18/11 is Day 1, Week 4 of Advent; the season of worship for what God has done and expectancy for what God will do. Despite those who claim to know when the Second Advent will take place, the Bible makes it clear no man or woman knows when Christ will return. Instead of spending time speculating when Christ will return we are supposed to live as though the Lord will return today.
But the world and even the church would rather do otherwise. According to John Foxe, who wrote about many of those who died during the reign of England’s Queen Mary, John Philpot was burned to death on 12/18/1555. He is reported to have said, “I thank God that I am a heretic out of your cursed church; I am no heretic before God. But God bless you, and give you grace to repent your wicked doings, and let all men beware of your bloody church.”
12/18/1707 the brother of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism was born. His name was Charles Wesley, and like his brother, he too was a missionary. He and his brother served the Native Americans in Georgia, as well as the settlers.
Charles Wesley wrote a rather famous Christmas carol about the spirit of the Advent season. Charles Wesley’s Christmas carol begins: “Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’ angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
When we speculate on the exact date Christ was born or the exact date Christ will return we miss the point. We are to live as though the Lord will return on 12/18. As John Philpot said before he died, “Shall I disdain to suffer at this stake, seeing my Redeemer did not refuse to suffer a most vile death upon the cross for me?”
When Christ died, he died for sin once for all. But now he is alive, and he lives only for God. In the same way, you must think of yourselves as dead to the power of sin. But Christ Jesus has given life to you, and you live for God.
--- Romans 6:10,11.
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