So here is a confession. I sometimes try to use something until way past the point of when others would have thrown it away and replaced it with a new item. As an example, I keep a phone charger until the wires fray, and then I get out the trusty electrical tape and wrap the wires to keep the cord from breaking into two pieces. So, some may see this as being frugal, but others seeing my phone hooked to a charger that is wrapped in electrical tape would call that cheap. This may explain why I received a phone charger as a gift this Christmas, but that is another story. Not that it matters, but I am selective in this approach and most people who get to know me would not necessarily call me frugal or cheap. Generally, our opinions related to issues like this are based primarily on perceptions or assumptions, and not on facts. However, in the scheme of life, whether I am frugal or cheap is not necessarily all that important.
And as we celebrate Christmas today, it makes me wonder if the birth of Christ for many people is also just based on perceptions or assumptions, and not on what is true. We can either see the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as a fable written by man to satisfy religious instincts, or we can believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah who was sent as a sacrifice and as a savior from our sins. Unfortunately, most people will continue to base their opinion of the Bible on their own perceptions or assumptions, rather than on the truth of God’s Word, and this may even be true of many who call themselves Christians. But this is not just about perceptions or assumptions of things that in the scheme of life have limited or no value, this is about something that has foremost consequence for this life and for eternity. So, in this Christmas season I encourage you to reflect on your perceptions and assumptions about the Bible, and to truly seek and to explore the truth of God’s Word, while it can be found.
“While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:6-14, NASB).