Life This Side of Heaven

What do you give to those you love? It’s the annual conundrum of Christmas. What do they like? What would bring them joy? What will my wallet allow? But the question that comes up in a popular Christmas tune asks, "What to I bring to Jesus, the newborn King?" The answer may surprise you.

“Bah! Humbug!” That's the famous line from Charles Dickens 18th century story, “A Christmas Carol.”  It’s the contempt-filled reply that Scrooge gives to in response to Christmas greeting shared with him by his cheerful nephew. But have you ever wondered what this phrase means?

“Batteries not included.” Three tiny words. And they’re not always easy to see on the box. But you’ll recognize their importance on Christmas when the gift is unwrapped and there’s no way to power it up. When God sent John to announce the coming of our Savior, He sent Him out to not only call people to repentance and faith but provided the power to go along with it. God's gift to you of salvation is the complete package. You could say it comes "batteries included."

In fairy tales, they begin with a common literary device that provides neither any datable chronology or point of reference on a map. They simply begin, "One upon a time in a land far away ..." That’s not how Luke begins his narrative describing the events surrounding the birth of our Savior. That's because God, His love for you, and the eternal rescue He sent His Son to carry out on your behalf, are all real. This isn’t a story detached from the events of your life but it is life itself in Him.

"We need a little Christmas, right this very minute!" Chances are good you may have heard the familiar lyrics and found yourself singing along with the popular Christmas hit. You could almost imagine the folks in Malachi’s day singing something similar to this. But anticipation was giving way to impatience with God. Have you found yourself feeling impatient with God and wanting to see a little more of His action in your life?