Christmas is exactly that… Christ mass, the worship of Christ –the celebration of the promised one coming into the world to give light to all men (John 1:9). A long the way the tarnish of myth and commercialism have diminished the light with a host of Christmas characters from Santa to talking snowmen and even a Christmas version of Bigfoot that’s just abominable! Yet, still glowing from this menagerie of misfits who deck the halls of history is the true spirit of Christmas that is not only about the joy of giving but the need for a hero! “…you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).” The nativity scene is as much about the birth of a champion as it about the unexpected arrival of a messiah.
God was in the hero business before creation. Many He has called were unexpected heroes like the little shepherd boy David or the mama’s boy Jacob yet, all had in common a reliance on God for their strength. Even the great Samson needed God to fill him with strength. However, there are times that God used the few, the proud… the first SWAT (Spiritual Warriors of Ancient Times) team to carry out His will. One special force unit was called “the Three (2 Samuel 23:19).” These were devoted soldiers for David who once risked their lives just to get David a drink from a well behind enemy lines in Bethlehem. Each had saved the day in heroic fashion and donned the annals of history with heroic tales of strength and courage that inspired one and all. The three were Joe (that’s short for Josheb-Basshebeth), Eleazar and Shammah. They were more than a superhero trio they were men of unrelenting faith that knew the battle belong to the Lord! Like Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (that’s Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego for those you who like Babylonian names) their confident proclamation was, “the God we serve is able to save us… (Daniel 3:17).” Their strength was not about 24 hour fitness memberships but faith in the God who delivers!
This week when many will turn their hearts toward that Bethlehem delivery may we sing with the angel choir once again, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests (Luke 2:14)!” May we all long to be heroes for our God and find our strength in the one true hero of life, Christ Jesus our Lord! Thank God for that starry night so long ago that heralded shepherds, angels, magi and a world in need of a Savior! -DAN
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