It is still the Christmas season in the church. We are still celebrating the saving power of God in the coming of Christ. The Psalm for today sings the joyful song of praise for all the Lord has done. Yet, despite the fact that the Lord has made known his salvation to all the nations, not all the ends of the earth acknowledge having seen the saving power of God. All the ends of the earth just celebrated Christmas but not everyone declares Jesus Christ as Lord. Does this give us reason to doubt the words of the Bible? Does it give us reason to deny Jesus as the Christ? Not for those who are strong in faith. Despite living in a world of disbelievers we are called to confidence. We are called to remain in Christ, to continue to look for his coming and to make way for him in our lives and the world. For it is through us that God’s wondrous deeds are done and God’s justice is revealed. It is through us that all the ends of the earth will see the saving power of God. So it is important, I think and believe that even though the secular
celebration of Christmas is over, the celebration of the Christ
in our lives should be even more confident and obvious to all the
ends of the earth. It is even more important that all we received
from Christ’s coming remains in us. The tree is still up at
my church. At home, I don’t take down all of my lights or
put away my nativity scene until the Epiphany season is past. All
through January I have holiday gatherings in my home. They are less
hurried now, and more reflective without the stresses of the secular
Christmas. |