Putting Jesus Back in the Manger.Frankly titled that is the topic of this post.
It is always interesting to me that at Christmas time Jesus’ birth is the center of focus, rather than Jesus Himself!No, all attention is on Baby Jesus:looking at His pictures, reenacting the delivery, singing about drums and donkeys.We do not focus on Jesus, the Ever-living One.He is no longer that cute, harmless infant, representing peace and love, lying in the hay.I am convinced that we celebrate the Baby Jesus, because He is not a threat.In case we have forgotten, the manger is empty, and Jesus is all grown up.
Are we in the Church guilty of pushing Jesus, the King of the Universe, back into the manger, so that we can feel secure and relieved, non-threatened?How is it that we can get everyone to bow at the manger but ignore the Man who is worthy of our worship?The whole world seem eager to bow before the Jesus who is quiet, peaceful, and yes, non-threatening, while the grown up version repulsively demands obedience.
The Baby Jesus does not challenge our culture, but the adult Jesus does.When a man asked Jesus how he could get into heaven, Jesus did not lead him in a simple sinner’s prayer.Instead, He told the man to sell everything and give it to the poor.The real Jesus, who is all grown up, is not so easy to love.He offends common sense and cultural norms.Someone says, “I want to follow you,” and Jesus replies, “I have no place to lay my head.”Another says, “Let me serve you,” and God commands, “Leave your father, home, your people and culture, and go to the land I will show you.” (Gen. 12:1-3)
American Christianity, in exchanging true worship for infant adoration, is in shambles.Our Christianity looks nothing like the book of Acts, and we somehow have no problem with that.It is anemic and weak compared to the apostolic glory days.We have started to rewrite our theology based on our lack of experience, rather than based on scriptures.
The previous is an excerpt from one of my favorite books “Passion for the Heart of God.” By John Zumwalt.
It would be quite inappropriate to celebrate my nieces 10th birthday by giving her a teething ring or a rattle.She will not have any use for those.It is never improper to remember how cute she was as a baby, but it would be terribly unsuitable to celebrate her as though she still was one.
