I wonder how many of you remember Statler and Waldorf? Probably not by name, but by image you may. Statler
and Waldorf are a pair of Muppet characters, two grumpy old men, who heckle the
Muppets from their perch in a box at stage left! For example, Statler, “They all
good things must come to an end.” Waldorf, “So what’s that got to do with this
show?” Their constant complaints and
zingers were funny to me when I watched that show with my kids. Now that my
friends and I are approaching their age, the humor is often a little too close
to real life. It’s all too easy for us to slip into the role of a critic of the
world we live in at this time. But, critics don’t create good, do they?
Don’t you love the wonder that a child brings to this
Christmas season? They delight in the bright lights, bubble over with excitement,
and listen to the Story of a Baby in a manger with awe. Jesus asks us to live with the faith and trust
of a little child. One day when some children gathered around Him, the disciples
tried to chase them away. He said, “These children are the kingdom’s pride
and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom
in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” (Luke 18:16-17,
The Message) To be clear, the Lord is
not recommending childishness to us. There is no charm in whining or tantrums.
A week from today we will celebrate the pivotal event of
human history, the arrival of God in a tiny baby, born to a peasant Mom, given
a father’s care by a local carpenter, with a mission to change the destiny of
humanity! Think about the implications as explained by Paul in this passage. "When
the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to
redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because
you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who
calls out, “Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:4-6, NIV) Jesus did not come just to give a nice story
to the ages. He came to set all of Creation right, to make it possible for us
to be children of God, who come to Him, as our Father, not as our Judge. Lord,
give us the faith of a child to receive that inheritance, to accept the place
You offer to us through Your Son, Jesus.
You may object to those thoughts in the spirit of Statler
and Waldorf. “Jerry, the whole world’s gone to Hell. It’s a terrible generation
that is shaping the way we live now. Things have never been this bad.” To
that I’d say that you need to know your history a little better. You need not
go back too far to find horrible wickedness. The 20th century was
one of the bloodiest in history, if not the
worst, with two World Wars, and civilian suffering on a global scale! In saying that I am not minimizing the challenges
of the day. Sensuality, greed, hatred, and
rejection of the Truth of God is rampant. Religion that is form without substance
has taken hold in so many lives. But … the Gospel of Christ invites us to hope
for the Kingdom come!
Pray for the revelation of Jesus and His salvation to come
to us anew this Christmas season. Don’t be a grump! If you’re burdened for your family and their
refusal of God’s grace, make it a matter of prayer, not a subject of endless
condemnation and criticism. The word from the Word is a simple and short one today.
"Do
not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans
12:21, NIV)
________
(Matt Maher’s sweet song of Christmas)
Love came down to Bethlehem
While the world was sleeping
Love came down to make amends
For all creation's weeping
He that sang the stars to life
He the Word became a cry
Rejoice Rejoice
Glory to God hallelujah
Gloria
King of heaven's high estate
Child in lowly manger
His the priv'lege to forsake
To welcome in the stranger
Born to heal the bonds of men
Born that we'd be born again
Rejoice rejoice
Glory to God hallelujah
Heaven and nature singing together
Glory to God hallelujah
Gloria gloria
Rejoice rejoice
Glory to God hallelujah
Heaven and nature singing together
Glory to God hallelujah
Heaven and nature angels and shepherds
Wise men and beggars praise to the Savior
Forever and ever gloria
Gloria gloria
Jon Guerra | Matt Maher
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LLC)
I Am A Pilgrim Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing
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