So much of our Christmas traditions are designed for the northern hemisphere. Like Christmas lights that we have to keep the kids up way past their bedtime in order to actually see. Or Santa working out alternative entry points for the lack of chimney and wearing a big furry coat in the middle of summer (good thing most malls have air-conditioning). We’re forced to live with or translate these northern hemisphere traditions into our own culture.
The good thing about this process is it forces you to consider what’s really essential and what are just cultural trimmings.
You won’t be surprised to hear me say that Jesus, the Christ, is at the heart of Christmas. And it’s pretty hard to argue when it’s both a celebration of his birth, and it has his name in it. He’s come to bring peace to a messy world – peace with God by forgiveness of sins and then peace and restoration to the world which he’ll bring about on the last day. All across the world, Jesus offer of forgiveness and peace bursts out across cultures to everyone (even ones that don’t traditionally celebrate Christmas). Have you put your trust in Jesus, have you received his forgiveness and peace?
And then do your Christmas trimmings help you celebrate this peace and this Saviour Jesus, or are they just a messy distraction from it. Christmas trimmings are a great chance to celebrate Jesus and have fun. But don’t miss the heart of Christmas – don’t miss Jesus!
Tag: translation
One of the most remarkable things about being Christian is recognising that God has Spoken. It is incredible to be able to open up the bible, at home or at Church or wherever we are, and hear God speak to us.
This week I received an email from our CMS link missionaries the Etheringtons with these breathtaking words:
“Another two days or so of paperwork and the text of the Kunwinjku New Testament goes to the Bible Society who will turn it into a finished book. Join us in praising our Lord for this long, slow miracle, and in praying that Kunwinjku people will continue to read and translate into action God’s words to them in their own heart language. This of course is a prayer for all of us as we read our own Bibles.”
The Kunwinjku people are a native Australian people group in far northern Australia. I pray that they (and we) will treasure and read and believe and obey the precious words that God has spoken to us.
Yours in Christ,
Ben
