http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/
Many interesting historical snapshots once again, ranging from the baptism of a Frankish conqueror become King, to the pope crowning a King, to saloon wreckers, to an illustrious British prime minister, a hymn writer and his untimely demise, to the death of John Wycliffe, who "...initiated the first complete translation of the Bible into English..."
"December 25, 496: King Clovis, who united Gaul and founded France, is baptized in the Cathedral of Rheims, followed by 3,000 of his soldiers. "Worship what you once burned, and burn what you worshipped," the priest instructed him. However, Clovis and his troops showed little change after their "conversion" and apparently believed Christ was merely a war god who would grant them victory if they prayed for it."
- sobering implications in the words "...showed little change after their conversion...merely a god who would grant...". How do you and I view the God we name as King? Is he merely a means to acquire what we want through "vending machine prayers"? Or is he the One who, day by day, changes us into into the person and capacity that he saw us to be from before the beginning of time, bringing "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men."?
I find it interesting to view the week's listing of historical events in context of our commemoration of the birth of Christ today. In a way, these events seem like so many disorganized, uncoordinated and sometimes even sad events or mistaken efforts - have we ever really gotten the whole meaning of the angels' message to the shepherds?
Last evening as we prepared to go the the Christmas Eve service, I was momentarily distracted from the joy of the evening by an rather unhappy, unintentional comment made in our home. With that heavy thought on my mind, I mused to myself - "wow, can I still go and focus on the Christmas message, I just don't feel ready to hear about the birth of Christ."
And then it struck me - that's the body, the intent, the power and the beauty of the message of Christ's birth, Jesus coming among us as God Incarnate, the Living Word! He doesn't wait to come into our lives until we have everything ready and peaceful, in place and orderly and cleaned up.
He comes, in all his infant vulnerability, bursting into a world that is completely unprepared, not looking for him at all, not expecting him in any form, especially not as a tiny, helpless baby laid in a trough full of hay! What can such a helpless-looking infant do to make anything better?
He comes into a world that is a bit of a mess - no, really messed up - and slowly, without fanfare, yet unstoppably, spreads his kingdom message of peace, healing and love, not into those lives which are all orderly and "whole", but to those who are so deeply aware of their need of a Savior and will welcome what he offers in whatever state we find ourselves!
So I went through the door into the night to attend, once again, a service with others who wanted to hear the Nativity story again.
There were all kinds of lives represented in the crowd - solid, long-time members of the church, young couples with their bustling little ones who could cause quite a disturbance, people of many different ethnic backgrounds, wives alone, feeling the emptiness of the seat beside them, families with sad histories of hurts in their homes, young single moms with their restless youngsters who were awed by the glow of the candles, some who were afflicted with broken minds - just a wonderful mixture of people that represented so much of our colorful society.
The same kind of crowd as that which walked past the door of the place where Jesus was wrapped up and nestled down 2000 years ago.
A look at history shows that nothing changes much. Except for the places and lives that Jesus touches when people listen and hear the angel's message - "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men!"
A blessed Christmas celebration to all!
