The recent trauma of blowing and drifting snow is hopefully behind us. The last day of school before the holiday for our local young people upon us. Churches all over the city are advertizing "Lessons and Carols" services for this Sunday and the Christmas story will be told in scripture reading and song. Many people will be heading out of town or getting together in town this weekend to celebrate "family Christmases." Christmas is all but upon us. We have romantic ideas of what it will be like as the family gathers to share a lot of food and cheer, but the reality is probably somewhat different. Underneath all the joviality will be the tension of unresolved issues and broken relationships - something that seems to be pervasive in our society. Let me suggest there is no better time of year to work on reconciliation than at Christmas. Love is in the air, so to speak, and people's hearts seem to be a little more tender and open during this special season. To be a reconciler is a wonderful gift, no matter who you are, but if you happen to be a follower of Jesus then it is not only a wonderful gift, it is the very essence of who you are. Paul the apostle wrote these words:""If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
To be a reconciler is a costly role. It cost Jesus his life to bring reconciliation between humanity and God the Father. For you and me to carry on that role can be very costly too. None the less it is a role that we committed to when we decided to follow Jesus. Be a reconciler this Christmas.
Very insightfull , may the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ remind me of this when ever I feel the cost is too high to be around someone that "rubs" me the wrong way!
ReplyDeleteI am afraid I disagree with you on this point. Not following the example of Jesus is a far more costly endeavor than following him. If you remember he told us that we will be fully equipped to do every good work as long as we place our faith solidly in him "Gods' Word". We begin to run into problems when we try to build our faith around the teachings of anyone other than Gods Word. If you stand on Gods Word who can defeat you?
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