Jeff's Journal

A college friend recently sent me a comment on Facebook that said, “Keep the ‘istma’ in Christmas’.   I’m not sure if he made it up or if he heard it elsewhere, so I’m hesitant to give him the credit for it, although he’s a clever guy.  Anyway, it made me laugh.  I suppose there are some who might be offended by a remark like that because Christians use the phrase to rant against the secularization of Christmas and remind the world that Jesus is the reason for the season.  Now, I’m all about keeping Christ the center of my Christmas experience, so the fact that it made me laugh shouldn’t be misconstrued somehow that I’m not concerned about how Christian values seem to be marginalize in America today.  I don’t even know what my friend meant by the comment.  If I know him, he sent it because he’s witty and thought it was funny.  So did I. 

I had Christmas dinner with my Pastor and his family before they moved to San Jose, CA.  I asked him what he was reading and he mentioned some books about the life of St Francis of Assisi.  Now, I admit to not knowing much about the life of St Francis other than his famous quote, “Preach the Gospel at all times--if necessary, use words.”   This quote was apparently a mantra for St Francis.  His way to communicate his belief was to live a life that showed others a life worth living and in doing so, point people to Jesus Christ. 

As Christians, we can sometimes get bent out of shape when the world doesn’t see things our way.  I don’t know why that surprises us.  We are warned throughout the Bible that the world (not the people in it) is our enemy.  This world is under the power of the Prince of Darkness and light is offensive to it.  (John 3:19; John 12:46) While it’s important for us to let our voices be heard and I commend those who have the power of persuasion with their words, I also think we would do well to head the words of St Francis so that Matthew 5:16 may prove true in our lives: Let your (our) ‘light shine before others, that they may see your (our) good deeds and glorify your (our) Father in heaven.” 

While I had my share of vexation and stress this holiday, I also had my good share of peace and joy.  There’s a sense of “all is calm and all is bright” in my stinky manger.  As the new pastor of our church taught this Christmas, “peace” is the great gift that Jesus brings by His incarnation; for surely, no other gift can be enjoyed without the gift of peace that Christ makes known through the mystery of Christmas.  I wonder if what I do more than what I say made anyone stop and want what I have?  Did I live the ‘istma’ in Christmas or did I show the Christ in Christmas? 

Here’s to a New Year of being more proactive and less reactive in my witness to a lost and dying world

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