The decorations are coming down and the bills are coming in.  The returns are about to be returned.  We’ll have one last hurrah on New Year’s Eve and then life will go back to whatever passes for normal.  I have a question to which I think Christians ought to have an answer.  Did anyone hear the Gospel?

We stridently proclaim Jesus as the reason for the season, but do any of those lambasted for their Christmas sacrilege ever see Jesus in our actions?  We prefer nativity scenes to snowmen and Santa, but the baby Jesus never steps beyond the manger.  The notional Christian and most others can accept baby Jesus.  He does not intimidate.  The cute little baby does not become the man, the God who exposes our sin and yet was willing to die for us.  Without His death and resurrection, the birth is just a pretty story.  We sing songs of a savior, but never mention what it is we are being saved from.  We speak of a newborn king, but do not follow to the conclusion that a king is to be obeyed.  When this time comes around again next year, what if instead of bickering over time, place, and tradition we resolve to tell the whole story of Jesus?  Whatever you believe about its origins, there is no more opportune time to share the real message.