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 I really have no idea why it lodged in my mind the
way it did. (Well, other than the fact that I’ve been preaching long
enough to have my radar always ‘on’ for a good theological “hook”!)
Anyway, I’ve been mulling those words over ever since. “It’s
Christmas for Heaven’s sake.” Really? Are you sure about that?
What benefit could Heaven, the eternal abode of God Almighty,
possibly expect to reap from the King of King’s plan to rescue the
likes of us? Hopelessly lost. Heedlessly rebellious. Helplessly
dead.
Going to all the trouble to incarnate the eternal Son of God to live
as a man, love as a leader and die as a savior seems terribly
inequitable to me. Heaven doesn’t really get more than it gives up,
does it?
So, with the help of a good friend, I’ve tried to re-imagine the
line with some other colloquial “sakes” that seem more appropriate.
For instance, they could have said, “It’s Christmas for Pete’s
sake.” That makes sense, right? It’s really the Petes and Pablos and
Sallys and Suzettes that are getting the better end of the stick,
right?
Undeserving human beings are given an open-door invitation to
never-ending peace? Yes, please!
Or how about, “It’s Christmas for pity’s sake”? After all, when
you’ve got nothing, which is exactly what we have to contribute
spiritually, pity isn’t such a bad thing.
God’s pity, born out of His never-failing love, extreme mercy, and
amazing grace, swooped down into time and space to snatch us from
certain Hell? Sign me up!
Maybe even, “It’s Christmas for goodness’ sake” would be a good
alternative. Again, think about it – we do have a serious “goodness”
problem. Don’t we have to caution our children every year with
melodic warnings about being “good for goodness’ sake” because they
tend not to be good? Funny how being “bad” (self-centered, stubborn,
sinful) isn’t something we have to learn. It comes all too
naturally.
But doesn’t the incarnation, God being made like us, contain a
promise of something new – that by faith in Jesus and cooperation
with the Holy Spirit, bad people can be made good? There’s a gift we
could all use! See now what I mean? We are
getting all kinds of Christmas presents, but what is Heaven getting
in return? I really only see one upside to God’s salvation plan
where Heaven is concerned – JOY!
The night Jesus was born there must have been quite a party in
Heaven. Imagine the warriors of heaven laying down their arms to
sing and dance and rejoice with wonder at the crazy thing God had
successfully done by perfectly melding His essential Being with
human flesh and blood.
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The revelry even spilled over to earth!
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping
watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to
them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were
terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news
that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of
David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths
and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the
angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:8-14
NIV)
The armies of heaven rejoiced that night! And ultimately, so did the
Prince of Heaven Himself!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of
witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that
so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race
marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and
perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,
scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)
According to the Bible, there is only one other thing on earth that
makes the citizens of heaven rejoice – when one of us lost, twisted,
good-as-dead sinners turns, in faith, to Him. (Luke 15:10)
Why not give Heaven something to celebrate? The gift of YOU is all
He wants for Christmas!
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