"Christmas Devotion "
Pastor Tommy Simons

The world is indifferent to birth of Christ—Joseph and Mary are featured at bottom left—background players in greatest event in human history.

Brueghel visualizes birth of Jesus Christ, as it was in reality—with added snow and contemporary setting of Netherlands in 1563. The city is bustling with travelers from

throughout kingdom returning to city of origin—singing up for census. The Holy Family is another face in the crowd—weary from long travel and seeking shelter.

The painting is intentionally “blurry” and “out of focus”—shadows of armed military, parents searching for children, seeking refreshment from stream and searching for wood—building a small fire—seeking relieve from bitter cold.

And surrounding all characters and structures is persistent, driving snow—and as hour pass—it seems entire scene will be covered with snow—everything will fade away.

Advent in our post Christian world has placed birth of Christ on outlines of our culture—driving snow of indifference has covered true meaning of Christmas.

Let’s melt away snow in your Advent journey in order to see clearly the meaning of the Season.

I encourage you to be still, look and listen to blessings surrounding your story. Place your focus on Jesus Christ and condemn any politician, religious leader or political pundit encouraging you to disconnect with family during this Holy Season because of an election.

Focus your time and energies on cultivating fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, hope, peace, patience, kindness and long-suffering. The Word became flesh this Holy Night—as God’s solution to sin and death. And you are called to lifetime of spiritual formation—mirroring image of the Holy One born in Bethlehem.

The Christmas Season is an opportunity to melt away snow, through your witness of word and deed, not to reveal your own righteousness, but Jesus Christ—humbly entering humanity in bottom left of Brughel’s painting.

Frederick Buechner reminds you to embrace mystery of life and open doors to share joy and pain with others:

Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.

Focus on the birth of Christ—in all of its mystery and overwhelming simplicity—God’s answer to problem of sin and death—through birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.

Let the love of Jesus Christ, assisted by beloved friends and family, embrace and warm you in midst of bitter cold.

And pay particular attention to those in your beloved community navigating first

Christmas season, without loved one, separated by death or distance.

Build a comforting fire in your home and exercise your gift of hospitality for dear ones traveling a difficult road this Christmas season.

~

Follower of Jesus, melt away snow blurring true meaning of Christmas.

Do you remember A Charlie Brown Christmas?

The Christmas play is in chaos. Nobody is paying attention because nobody really cared—everything was blurry and out of focus.

And Linus walks to center of stage. Asks for a spotlight and begins to read:

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you this day is born in the city of David a Savior, who is he Messiah, the Lord. The present culture of isolation, loneliness and echo chambers desperately needs focus and direction.

And maybe you can receive best of both occasions:

A snowy Christmas Eve outdoors, with determination to melt snow of another’s heart, revealing love beyond measure in birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas to all.

Grace and Peace,

Dr. Tommy Simons

Pastor

Third Baptist Church of Saint Louis