What is the Point?
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What is the Point?
Luke 1:68-79
Malachi 3:1-4
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
Traditions are important to a church however sometimes it may seem like traditions can become so routine that we forget about the reason why we do the traditions in the first place. Christmas is one of those traditions that we can get so excited about and it is very important to us however, the routine of it all may sometimes cloud our understanding of what is the point of it all. What is the point of the fuss and the hustle? What is the point of the excitement? What is the point of gathering together? What is the point of Christmas?
Our chosen scriptures today are focused on one person. It is the story of John the Baptist. John was born to childless parents who should have been too old to conceive children in the first place. However, God allowed them to conceive John for he would serve a purpose. His father prophesied about him that he would prepare the way for the Lord. After several hundred years of silence and after such a long time of waiting for what was promised through the prophets. After years of practice of tradition, finally the Lord was bringing forth the promise. John was chosen to usher in that promise. Zechariah said, “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins…”
Then in Luke 3 we see the prophesy of Zechariah the father of John and of the prophet Isaiah fulfilled. “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’” John was chosen to prepare the people for God’s salvation. However, it was not just Israel who would see this salvation but it was for the whole world.
This is the point of our tradition. This is the point of Christmas. The point is for us all to have the knowledge of salvation. The point is also to not keep it to ourselves but to share it with the world. Zechariah’s prophecy over his son may have had a focus on his son only but I believe the same call that John had on his life is the same call that we have on ours today. We are called to prepare the way of salvation. In advent season we prepare the way for Jesus. We remember his birth and prepare ourselves for the salvation that will come in his death and resurrection. Salvation is the point of Christmas. It is not the decorations, it is not the pageants, it is not the cookies, it is not the gifts under the tree. It is the knowledge of salvation. Paul’s prayer for the church in Philippi was that their, “love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ…” Again, the point is about preparing themselves for Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving Day our family went to the movie theater after we finished our meal. We wanted to see “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” The story and script is nothing new as this has story is something that has been around for years. However, Angel studios decided to produce their own film of this story. This is about a church that is preparing to have their traditional Christmas pageant that they do every year. The traditional person who would organize the pageant fell and broke her leg so this led an opening for another mom to take over for her. There is a group of kids called the Herdmans. These kids were known as “The worst kids in the history of the world.” They were a poor family and their mother was never at home. So, these kids had to learn to survive on their own. They knew nothing about Jesus and nothing about Christmas traditions. Well, these kids end up showing up to church and volunteering to play part in the Christmas pageant. Through out the movie you see a transformation in these kids. You also see a transformation in the church. Prior to this pageant the church believed that the pageant was sacred and that the pageant itself and the tradition was the most important part of Christmas. However, the Herdmans put on show that was different than all other previous shows. The transformation of their hearts shown through in how they presented the play. The people watching finally understood the reality of what Mary and Joseph went through in caring for the Son of God. He was born as a baby, helpless, needing protection and care from his mother and father. The point of it all was no longer about the tradition or putting on a perfect show. It was about remembering the little child coming into the world who was born for the purpose to save the world from sin.
Salvation is the point of Christmas. We are all called “to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” This Christmas let us remember the point of it all. Let’s not fuss over so much over making everything perfect. Let’s not focus on our traditions just for tradition’s sake. Let us focus on the point. The point is to share salvation to all. You are called to share salvation to all Church. Not to just keep it to yourself. It is a gift given to you and meant to be shared. However, sometimes we may get so wrapped up in our traditions that we forget to share the message. Christmas is an opportunity to share Christ with someone who does not know him. It is an opportunity to bring salvation to those who need it most. As we prepare this advent season my prayer for you is that you do not just prepare for yourself and your tradition but that you will find ways and opportunities to share salvation with those who do not yet know of salvation.