A Different Christmas

A different Christmas.

We’re different, those of us who follow Jesus.

For a time, we might have forgotten that, but there’s no forgetting now.

Embrace the truth without complaint.

Discover the treasure hidden in being a different people, set apart, and called to a holy, unusual Way.

We celebrate a different Christmas than what others recognize as the “Christmas holiday.”

Embrace that, too.

Resist the urge to bemoan commercialization, to wear “reason for the season” buttons, or to be indignant when wished “happy holidays.”

We don’t follow the way of complaining or demanding or insisting. We follow the Way of Christ.

We follow the Way of the cross, of sacrifice, of love in the face of spit, thorns, and nails, of truth proclaimed to power and revealed to the powerless.

We follow the Way of eternal love and the freedom no one can legislate or rescind.

Let’s open our eyes to what is before us.

What is as old as the first Christmas is made new again in our generation—

that while a few will receive Jesus and welcome Him as Messiah, Redeemer, and King; others will seek to destroy Him and all who follow His Way.

Listen to the proclamation of the angels and believe that we must and can abandon fear.

Linus won’t be appearing on our TV’s any longer to deliver the news but, with the shepherds, we still hear it ring from the pages of God’s Word:

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:10-14 ESV

God is so secure in Himself—so confident of His own power, triumph, and reign that-

He came here knowing humans and devils alike would seek to destroy Him and yet He chose to arrive in the most vulnerable and human of ways.

He sent His Son because He loved the world. God is for life and all who want life will seek Him.

Every way apart from God leads to death.

Death visited shortly after Jesus’ arrival.

Herod feared a rival. He was insecure on his throne and so, he ordered the massacre of every boy two and younger to protect his power.

The world is full of people insecure on their thrones, willing to take every measure to secure whatever power they’ve amassed in this world.

That is not us.

We’ve yielded our thrones to Jesus.

We’ve abandoned the world’s power matrix and followed Jesus onto a Way others will not follow.

Let them go. Follow Jesus and don’t look back. Remember Lot’s wife.

This Christmas, when you or your loved ones are tempted to despair, to doubt, or to disengage, remember what is true.

We are loved.

We are on a path that leads to abundant life.

We celebrate Jesus’ birth. We remember His death. We live in the life of His resurrection.

We are a repentant people. A forgiven folk. A people who wear humility every day and seek to serve others as our Lord served His disciples on the very night He was betrayed.

We are gentle in a harsh world.

We study mercy but aren’t surprised when it’s not extended to us by neighbors.

We walk the path of truth beside a highway of deceit, calling to any who might hear, inviting them to abandon the way the leads only to destruction.

Our cries aren’t fueled by arrogance for we offered that at the foot of the cross.

They’re motivated by a love we couldn’t manufacture on our own but that is our inheritance in Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Embed in God’s Word.

Worship with others who know Jesus.

Speak truth. Love even those who hate you. Live generously and open-handedly in this world that hoards for sport.

Resign yourself to being different.

Bathe in truth. Read Acts. Then read a gospel and read Acts again. Try a chapter of Proverbs a day followed by a chapter of Acts. Then reread a gospel. Remember who we are.

We are different but we’re not alone.

We celebrate a different Christmas. One that entered the world humbly, powerfully, lovingly, joyfully, truthfully to be with us.

He delights in us. He became one of us. He is with us.

And we are with one another.

Fear not! Celebrate well. Look to Him. He won’t abandon us now.

**Dear Readers, I invite you this season to spread the message of truth I’ve tried to represent in each book God has led me to write. Please consider buying them as gifts for the loved ones on your list. And feel free to download this FREE advent devotional, Don’t Treat Jesus Like a Baby.

Red Pen Redemption is the ideal novel for lovers of historical fiction, A Christmas Carol, and witty women. It’s a powerful afternoon read about the grace of Jesus.

Running from a Crazy Man (and other adventures traveling with Jesus) is a quirky, biblical, unconventional devotional. Short chapters, powerful truths, humorously presented. Women love it but it’s also regularly appeared on the top ten Christian Men’s devotional lists on Amazon. Great for the young adult on your list, too!

Colorful Connections: 12 Questions about Race that Open Healthy Conversations and The Art of Hard Conversations: Biblical Tools for the Tough Talks that Matter offer biblical practical help for sharing faith, discussing differences, and building relationships with stories, discussion questions, and truth delivered with love. Ideal for your pastor, small group, church school, college student, or YOU!

Jesus and the Beanstalk: Overcoming Your Giants and Living a Fruitful Life is a newly revised study of 2 Peter 1:1-11 about how to grow up in Jesus and become effective in your faith. Biblical, humorous, and just a touch of fairy tale. Ideal for teens through adults who want to be effective in their faith.

A Different Christmas. https://t.co/tf2ylYtqI4 #Christmas #Christmasgifts

— Lori Roeleveld (@lorisroeleveld) December 9, 2022