Celebrate (Destination: Bethlehem, Day 14)

Jesus has come to proclaim freedom for all of us, who have been bound up by the bondage of sin, destined for eternity apart from God.   As we reflect on what He's done, we can be consumed by a spirit of worship and celebration. Consider these words from Psalm 126:
(1b) When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."
3 The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad.

During this Christmas season, we can remember that indeed, the Lord has done great things for us. Fallen humanity, once far apart from God, has been given the invitation to come near to our Savior. Jesus has come to do great things in our lives, and we are ushered into the life - abundant and eternal - by our acceptance of Christ as our Lord and Savior.  Christmas is a time of celebration, so we can be motivated to rejoice as we consider what He has done for us!

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There are 20 stops on this year's Christmas Advent-ure, called, "Destination: Bethlehem," taking us to various locations from the garden to the birthplace of Jesus and key locations surrounding His birth. Today, it's stop number 14.  The city is unnamed in Scripture, but it is in the region of Judah.

Mary, having learned of her pregnancy and the significance of the child to whom she would give birth, went to visit her relative, Elizabeth, wife of Zacharias, who was to be the mother of John the
Baptist. The Scripture says that she went "with haste," and we read in Luke 1:
41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."

Several thoughts came to mind as I read this passage.  First of all, there was an enormous calling upon both of these pre-born children.  God had ordained each of them for a special purpose.  We can never underestimate the worth of each human being, made in the image of God, fearfully and wonderfully made for a purpose.  In response, we take steps to preserve life.  We also read where John the Baptist, in his mother's womb, had a special response to the presence of Jesus - I think this can underscore for each of us that a child who is formed but not born has a developing set of emotions and intellect.  Ultrasound technology shows us that a pre-born child is not just a mass of tissue - children yet to be born are full of life and reflect the glorious design of their Maker.

Shifting gears, I also think this can illustrate for us the sense of celebration that we can experience at Christmas - a celebration in which apparently many Americans want to participate.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American adults believe Christmas should be celebrated in public schools. Just 15% disagree.  This is consistent with surveys over the past two years.

And, this latest survey shows that 54% of Americans say there’s not enough religion in the public schools. Just 12% say there’s too much religion in public schools, while 27% say the level of religion in schools is about right. Those results are also similar to previous surveys.

Among adults with school-age children at home, 82% favor celebrating Christmas in public schools, and 61% believe there should be more religion in those schools.

Newsmax reports on another Rasmussen polls that indicates that 71 percent of Americans surveyed want to keep Christ in Christmas.  That is up from the 60 percent who favored Christ over Santa Claus last year.   Only 14 percent think Christmas should be more about Santa, down from 20 percent a year ago.   And, 64 percent of respondents say they prefer stores with signs saying "Merry Christmas" over ones with "Happy Holidays," while 24 percent prefer the generic greeting and 12 percent are undecided.

Wow - you'd think it was the other way around; since it seems that Christmas expressions and celebrations are being halted left and right.  But, just consider that many of these instances involve one complaint or an alleged complaint.  And, there are officials who are so intimidated about Christmas that they overreact.

So, in light of all God has done for us, we can be prompted to celebrate!  We can be inspired by the example of Elizabeth, who, we are told spoke, with a loud voice at the sight of Mary.  Mary herself in Luke chapter 1, upon seeing Elizabeth, testified with praise at what God had done in her. She said:
(46) ..."My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

She said in verse 49: "For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name."

Celebration - without intimidation.  I think that is the spirit of the season.  Now, I don't believe that we are to become arrogant or "in your face" with our celebration of Christmas, but in a humble spirit of thankfulness for what God has done in sending His Son, we can reflect His light and His love.  The Mighty One has done great things for us, so we can rejoice in Him.