I came across a very interesting and sober piece, a “re-telling” of Luke’s Christmas story; let me share with you:

‘And there came in that same country, children keeping watch over their stockings by the fireplace. And lo! Santa Claus came upon them, and they were sore afraid. And Santa said unto them, “Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people who can afford them.

For unto you will be given great feast of good Turkey, dressing, cake, and many presents. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find presents wrapped in bright paper, lying beneath a Christmas tree adorned with tinsel, coloured baubles and lights.

And suddenly there will be with you a multitude of relatives and friends, praising you and saying, ‘Thank you so much! It was just what I wanted!

And it shall come to pass as the friends and relatives have gone away into their own homes, the parents shall say to one another, ‘Darn it! What a mess we have to clean up. And I’m tired. Let’s go to bed and pick it up tomorrow. Thank goodness Christmas only comes once a year.’ And they shall go with haste to their cold beds and find their desired rest.

That’s how most people will experience December 25 this year, and they’ll call it Christmas. But make no mistake about it. You can do all of that while leaving Jesus standing out in the cold like an unwelcome stranger; the guest of honour not even invited to His own birthday party celebrations.

Tony Evans

Source: Time To Get Serious, by Tony Evans, p.347

I came across a very interesting and sober piece, a “re-telling” of Luke’s Christmas story; let me share with you:

‘And there came in that same country, children keeping watch over their stockings by the fireplace. And lo! Santa Claus came upon them, and they were sore afraid. And Santa said unto them, “Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people who can afford them.

For unto you will be given great feast of good Turkey, dressing, cake, and many presents. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find presents wrapped in bright paper, lying beneath a Christmas tree adorned with tinsel, coloured baubles and lights.

And suddenly there will be with you a multitude of relatives and friends, praising you and saying, ‘Thank you so much! It was just what I wanted!

And it shall come to pass as the friends and relatives have gone away into their own homes, the parents shall say to one another, ‘Darn it! What a mess we have to clean up. And I’m tired. Let’s go to bed and pick it up tomorrow. Thank goodness Christmas only comes once a year.’ And they shall go with haste to their cold beds and find their desired rest.

That’s how most people will experience December 25 this year, and they’ll call it Christmas. But make no mistake about it. You can do all of that while leaving Jesus standing out in the cold like an unwelcome stranger; the guest of honour not even invited to His own birthday party celebrations.

Tony Evans

Source: Time To Get Serious, by Tony Evans, p.347