Today, community, this is our time and this is our call. For everyone is called to do something. Cheerleaders are called to cheer; plumbers are called to work on pipes; firemen are called to fight fires; teachers are called to teach; architects are called to build; leaders are called to lead; doctors are called minister to sick people; lawyers are called to defend; and preachers are called to preach.
And there are certain times when opportunities allows for us to shine in our profession.
When a baby is born, that is the season to lift up the celebration of the new birth; it’s all about the baby.
When there is a wedding, that is the time to lift up the bride; all attention is focused on her, it is her time to shine.
When a team is crowned Super Bowl champion, the city will give a parade highlighting the victory of their team; it’s their time to shine.
At our church we highlight our youth’s achievements; when they excel in school we lift up their achievements and applaud their successes.
All of us are familiar with seasons and the attention that they bring; those that are a part of sororities let it be known verbally and by way of T-shirts that they are connected. “Relay for Life” celebrate those who having battled the awful disease of cancer and are survivors.
In this country in which we live, every season is celebrated; when it’s New Year’s Eve people go all out with their parties; they gather in “Time Square” hours before time to start; they stand out there in the bitter cold just so they can bring in the New Year with a bang. On Valentine’s Day, sweetheart cards are handed out; balloons, candy and Teddy Bears put a smile on some lady’s face; new suits and dresses, especially for the children is worn on Easter. Folk dress out in green on St. Patrick’s Day, do “bike week” at the beach and cookouts on Memorial Day; fireworks are in the air for the 4th of July as we celebrate our independence as a nation.
Folks will do theme parks and beaching to officially close out summer on Labor Day. And then there’s Halloween, when folk will dress up like ghouls, ghosts, witches and goblins; and then there’s the feasting of Thanksgiving where we join together with our families to give thanks and enjoy delicacies around the dinner table; folk will lift and celebrate seasons; some will go all out.
My community friends, we are in that season of Christmas now — folk are going all out with decorated lights all around; reindeer, snowmen, candy canes and Santa Claus with Christmas landscaping.
But in this season, it’s time for the church to shine; and when I say the church I mean Christian believers. What do I mean?
In my opinion, there are only two Christian holidays, and that’s Christmas and Resurrection Sunday (known to some as Easter). Christmas because God gave the Christ child to the world; community, he was born! Resurrection Sunday because he rose bodily from the grave. And he lives! And if anybody ought to lift, celebrate and highlight these holidays it ought to be Christians!
Our blessed Savior was born in one season, and resurrected on the other; somebody reading knows that’s good news!
We have a name above all names (Phil 2:9); one that deserves to be lifted up. Now when it comes to lifting the Savior up, the world can’t do it; that’s why they highlight other things. And let me share something else with you — the world has taken over Christmas! They’ve all but taken the CHRIST out of Christmas; and we the Christian believers have not done a good job in keeping Him in it!
The salt that is supposed to season the world has lost its ability to season (Matt. 5:14); even some churches have had a meltdown. But, my friends, if the world can put on green and lift Leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day; if, the world can lift up and promote a bunny rabbit on Easter; if the world can promote and lift up witches, ghosts, demons, devils and Freddy Kruegar on Halloween; then we as believers can and should lift up the baby child named Jesus! What a savior!
“Merry Christmas” is still good!
Christ being the true meaning of Christmas is still good! We hear very little about the birth of Christ; if He is the reason for the season, we should lift Him! Now friends, don’t get me wrong, my family enjoys Christmas; the music, the Hallmark Channel movies; the festiveness, the holiday meals, the celebrating. But we keep Christ as the CENTER of it; we ONLY promote Christ; and I call on all of us that are Christians to do the same thing.
I’m not upset with the world, because the world is doing what the world does. But Christians, Christ is OUR savior! He saved us! He suffered and died just for us; it is He who holds back the hand of the enemy; it is He that makes a way out of no way! It is He that guides the surgeon’s hand; turns a bad diagnosis into a good one. And beside that, we say that it is His birthday!
So let’s lift the Savior up! With love, from our family to yours Merry Christmas!
Rev. George Ellis is the pastor at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
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