Revising Christmas, Again

It’s that time of year when culture warriors take up arms to keep worldly and pagan ideas from encroaching on the spiritual and biblical reason for the season. So Sarah Palin fired a salvo against the “war on Christmas” by “revisionists” who’re turning it into a “winter solstice” celebration. (This is to prepare us for her new book, Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas, ostensibly on the same theme). 

But what if the pagans aren’t the “revisionists” and the late December celebrations are indeed rooted in the winter solstice? That would explain some of the odd accoutrements to celebrations of Jesus’ birth. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been able to make out what evergreen trees, lights, and egg-nog have to do with the little town of Bethlehem. Without being too much of a Grinch, it might be worth asking whether the real “revisionist” is actually Mrs. Palin. Though to her credit, she stands in a long, long line of revising this holiday.   Continue at Steve Meister

What’s the Christian Life About?

By the number of books you find under the subject-header “Christian Living,” we can either assume that there’s a lot to say on the topic or that Christians still have no idea what their life is really all about. This confusion is nothing new. 

Many Christians in the 3rd and 4th centuries thought that moving to monasteries in the desert was a step forward in the Christian life and ministry.

But what would today’s evangelicals say is the the point of the Christian life?

Confusion on Christian Life and Ministry

Some would say the Christian life is about spiritual disciplines. Read your Bible daily and through the year, subscribe to a devotional magazine, keep a current prayer journal, and ensure that it’s all consistent and organized. You observe this among Christians who measure spiritual maturity by the consistency of their “quiet time” and who’ll address any sin or spiritual malady with “You need to read your Bible more.” Often, you’ll notice a discrete ambivalence to the public services of the local church – even forsaking it for “quiet time.”    Continue at Steve Meister

God Is the Lord of History

I never cease to be amazed at how many surprises remain in familiar passages of Scripture, if we stare long enough. I hope I have come to the point of entirely distrusting any presumption that I have exhausted any portion of God’s Word. This has particularly been the recurring lesson from the Gospel of Luke, as I have been teaching it to the college-group in our congregation. Though familiar territory, the announcements and births of both John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus (Luke 1-2) are filled with many sanctifying surprises.

For example, when we reflect on Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:1-21, we garner much comfort in how God sovereignly rules over all human government to accomplish His purposes in Christ. Perhaps this a tad relevant to our present day?

Why Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem?

Of course, Micah prophesied the birth of our Lord Jesus over 6 centuries before it was fulfilled (Micah 5:2). The Son of David, whose throne God would establish forever (2 Sam 7:13; cf. Luke 1:32-33), was to be born in David’s hometown (cf. 1 Sam 16:1-4). If He actually is the Messiah of David’s line, then Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem and fulfill God’s very old promises. But that’s not the only reason Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  Continue at Steve Meister