By Doug Creamer
Most people put up their Christmas tree close to Thanksgiving. We have always waited until about mid-December to put ours up. I love to decorate the outside of the house and always try to have that done by Thanksgiving weekend. But the inside of our house hasn’t been transformed yet. I did bring in the tree the other day, but half the lights don’t work. I have to fix them before we decorate the tree.
I am looking forward to getting some of the knickknacks out. We have a few nativities that I enjoy seeing. My mother painted some of special things we put out for the holidays. I have a village that I hope makes it out this year; I never got around to it last year. While I love the tree, it is time-consuming to decorate. Each of our ornaments has its own box and it takes a while to get them out and especially to put them all away.
There is still so much to do and so little time to get it all done. I would like to blame a late Thanksgiving, but December always goes quickly. There is still some shopping to do. I need to send out Christmas cards. Few people send cards anymore, but I still want to keep in touch with friends. Somehow it will all get done before Christmas. The question that lingers is how.
My pastor always finds interesting Christmas sermon series to do each year. This year he is using one put out by the Chosen series called, “Holy Night.” Each week focuses on a different theme and it includes video clips from the movie. He invited me to teach last week. My lesson was focused on Jesus coming for all people.
On the surface it seems logical that Jesus came to save us all. The reality is that some churches do not open their doors to all the people. How would you feel if a prostitute came and sat on your pew with your family? Does she need God? Imagine someone reeking of marijuana coming into your church, how would you react? When Jesus says that all are welcome, would that include an alcoholic? Are people who have suffered through a divorce welcomed in your church? There are many people who have messed up lives for various reasons, was Jesus really including them when he said all are welcome?
Back in Jesus’ day, the shepherds were considered very low class members of society. They smelled badly. They spent most of their time in solitude watching sheep. Many couldn’t attend synagogue regularly because someone had to keep watch over the sheep. Sadly, they were considered drunks and sinners and because people thought that about them they lived down to their reputation. Many of the upright and regular attenders of synagogue would turn their backs on and look down upon shepherds. They thought that even God wouldn’t notice them.
Sadly, there are people in all our communities who might feel the same way. They haven’t attended church regularly. They have struggled with making bad choices in life that led them into bad places. They question whether God could possibly love and care about them. They aren’t shepherds but they feel like outcasts in society. Do you believe that Jesus came for the lost and the destitute? Is there a possibility that someone could be too far gone for God?
If you asked the shepherds who were out watching their sheep close to Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born, they would tell you a different story. They were the first ones who received the news that the Messiah was born. When they heard the Good News that the angels shared they rushed into town to find the new born baby. Once they found him, they told everyone who would listen that the Messiah had come. The world may have discounted the shepherds, but when God invites all to come and seek Him, He means ALL.
Do you feel disconnected from God? Do you feel like the shepherds, that you are on the outside? God is giving you a personal invitation to come. YOU are included when He says ALL are welcome. I want to encourage you to come; you are invited into the family of God. The Bible teaches us to come just as we are. You don’t need to clean up your life, you just need to come. He accepts everyone and welcomes ALL. You are included! Let Him help you with the messes in your life, just come. Come and receive. Come and adore Him. COME!
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
