Choosing to Remember

I have been doing a lot of thinking about the whole “baby Jesus at Christmas time” thing.
In order for this to make sense, I will need to give you some of the back story.

(Pretend you hear some gentle background music…maybe a choir humming in the background –preferably a choir from a deep south Baptist church – you know the kind.)

Anyway, growing up was pretty typical for the sixties and seventies. My family believed in God and we worshipped him faithfully from the time I was born until now. I come from a long line of believers. One biblical teaching I heard growing up was that salvation from sin came to us through the death of Jesus. He commanded us to “do this when you remember me.” We didn’t focus on the birth – we focused on the death. So while the other religious groups focused on the birth of Jesus in December, we steadfastly remembered the death.

Fast forward several decades. Because people have questioned why we only focus on the death during this time of year, we have searched scriptures and our hearts and have started to loosen up when it comes to Jesus and Christmas. If Jesus had never been born, then we never would have salvation through his death. We aren’t forsaking the death at all…we are simply honoring his entrance into this world. If the rest of the world also honors him at this time, then PRAISE GOD. At least the world is talking about him and that is more than they normally do.

So, I sat in class on Wednesday with my little 3 years old singing to Jesus. I found myself spellbound by their little faces glowing in the candlelight and their eyes shining bright. They were so innocent and faithful. I wanted to stay there for awhile and not loose the moment, but it had to pass. Time must go on; however I decided to choose to incorporate some moments of reflection this week. I can take time to smile at others when I shop. I can hum music that speaks of Jesus and his birth. I can talk to others about this time of year and what it means to me and ask them what it means to them. I can look for ways to give and ways to serve others. That is what Jesus did - he served others during his life, and ultimately – by his death.

So I thank you, Jesus, for all that you have done – for coming to earth as a baby. For living here and experiencing life here on earth: the temptations, the choices, the tug of evil on our lives. Thank you for giving up your life not only for others but for me so that we might live a new and glorious life with you away from all of this pain and heartache. You offer the ultimate gift – eternal life and freedom from death. You just ask that we believe in you and because of that belief – live a life worthy of the calling. I choose to remember you during this time of year and I choose to remember you each day of my life. Amen.