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It’s December! For many, especially children, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” It is also the time of the year when we hear the slogan, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” How do you feel about that slogan?
I take issue! Jesus is not “the reason for the season.” For devoted Christians, Jesus is “the reason
for all of life” — our lives! Read Colossians 3:1-4! Paul reminds us that Christ is “our life.” We “died” and “were raised with Christ,” an allusion to our repentance and baptism (2:11-12). We “seek those things which are above” and our minds are set “on things above.” Our lives are “hidden with Christ in God.” A “season” may be long enough for those of a secular mindset, for those who give a little thought to Jesus this time of the year. But to God’s faithful a “lifetime” is not long enough to serve the Lord we love! He is not “the reason for our season” — He is “the reason for our surrender.”
We rejoice every day that God sent His Son into the world to save us — the story of His birth being a part of that grander scheme. Many are enamored with the story of Jesus’ birth because a babe in a manger makes no demand upon their lives. They can have God without obligation. They can talk about His birth, sing a carol or two and then walk away! The emphasis of the gospel, however, is on the Lordship of Christ, not the birth of Christ. In the first sermon to the Jews Peter declared that Jesus is “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). In the first sermon to the Gentiles he declared that Jesus is “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36). His birth is only the beginning of the story! Surrendering to Him as Lord is the story! Wise men still seek Him! Wise men surrender to Him as Lord!
Dwight Fuqua
Sparta, TN