It’s that time of year again (as Rong would say when isn’t it that time of year?) when Christmas letters from loved ones abound.
Every year I receive a letter that I have a very difficult time being charitable toward. The letter is typical in one sense. It tells the families story from the previous year. However the way the story is told leaves me feeling sick to my stomach.
What bothers me about this particular letter is how sickeningly sweet everything is. Story after story of how together everyone in the family is, how wonderful each grandchild is, how beautiful the world is. It’s not just that little Johnny has learned to read and write but little Johnny has become the world’s greatest author at the age of 4 and a half.
The letter ends with a paragraph telling us to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.
I’ve threatened in response to write a Christmas letter that begins with, “Well another year gone and I’m still struggling with my pornography addiction, my wife’s still yelling and screaming at the kids, Child 1 is a rebellious ungrateful pre-teen, Child 2 is as willfully disobedient as ever, Child 3 continues with tantrums and screaming fits…”
Jesus is NOT the reason for the season. Man’s desperate sinful condition and God’s redeeming love is what the season has been predicated upon. Jesus is the solution to the dilemma of a just and merciful God who is both just and justifier of those who have faith in Christ.
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
My dear friend, let me share this link with you. Merry Christmas Dammit!