#Rethink - December 2021
#Rethink - December 2021
In this last month of 2021, let's rethink Christmas, Jesus as God, and seasons of life.
Why have we added so much to Christmas?
If you've been listening to my podcast this month, then you know I've been rethinking Christmas. I've gone through missing pieces, a lost historical and cultural perspective, and the amazing amount of extra traditions and characters we have added to the story.
I'm not judging the Christmas songs, plays, and sermons that reference winter nights, warm stables, inhospitable innkeepers, or magi mingling with shepherds, I'm just reminding you that none of that is in Scripture or history. And maybe those additions to the story take away from the main point.
I've known people who choose not to celebrate Christmas because of all the secular hype and added junk. It's totally their choice, but I'm a little sad for them. It is a beautiful time of year. I love my Christmas cookies, tree, decorations. I enjoy driving around and looking at lights, giving gifts, and gathering with friends and family. I even like cheesy Christmas romance movies with their predictable and unrealistic endings.
We find extra magic at Christmas, extra generosity...it's as though we are reaching for paradise a little bit harder. Making a tiny glimpse of eternity here on earth. We try. But you all know what it feels like when we come up short. When instead of magic we feel stress, disappointment, loneliness, and pain. Which brings me back to the Real Christmas.
It was anything but hype, although there was plenty of chaos and crowds.
In a busy small town filled with extra travelers a young woman gave birth to a baby boy. It didn't happen in a wooden stable because they don't build with wood in Israel. There were most likely other women involved in the birth and Joseph most likely wasn't. Mamas take care of each other in every culture. Mary wrapped her new baby in special embroidered strips of cloth that she had lovingly prepared for him, and since the inn was full she found a carved rock trough for his bed. A choir of angles announced Jesus' birth not to kings, not to the rich and powerful, but to humble shepherds. And they believed.
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"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth,"
John 1:14
The Wonder of Jesus
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through Him,
and without Him was not anything made that was made.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light, which gives light to everyone
was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him,
yet the world did not know Him.
He came to his own,
and His own people did not receive Him.
But to all who did receive Him,
who believed in His name,
He gave the right to become children of God,
who were born not of bloodÂ
nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man
but of God.
John 1:1-5, 9-13
Merry Christmas, my friends!
All because of Jesus.
Seasons of Life
Life is kind of crazy for me right now. I went back to teaching after ten plus years. We bought a fixer-upper that we are attempting to fix up quickly so we can move in ASAP. If I'm not planning math lessons, I'm peeling wallpaper or helping build ceilings. The writing/speaking part of me has been set to the side.
I'm barely on social media -- not that I mind too much -- I haven't posted a new blog in months, my book ideas are sitting unwritten, and the only things I've kept up are this newsletter and my podcast. At first I felt a lot of guilt. It's hard not to be able to do it all, but there literally isn't time or energy. And I'm learning that's okay!
We have seasons of our lives. The Holy Spirit has assured me that I will write again. My new house has an office space that I am super excited about! But for now I am trying to be content where I am: doing what I can, creating new places, and learning to be a teacher again.
What about you? Do you like your season of life? Is it hard? Are you fighting it? What would it take for you to settle in and realize this is just a piece of your story? It's not easy, trust me I'm right there with you, but I'm learning to rest and accept.
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Thanks for taking a moment to #Rethink some of our religious traditions and beliefs. I know that it can be scary to deconstruct and reconstruct our faith, but finding the Real Jesus is absolutely worth it. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or comments.
If you know someone who would love to #rethink, please share!
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