Galatians 5:1,
16-18, 25 (NASB) It
was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do
not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 16 But I say, walk by the
Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its
desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in
opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the
Spirit, you are not under the Law. 25 If we live by the Spirit,
let us also walk by the Spirit.
Christmas myths are false messages about how to celebrate
the Christmas season that somehow get in our heads, get a hold on our hearts,
and undermine real celebration of Christmas. The one Christmas myth that causes
me trouble is the recurring question, “Am I doing enough for Christmas?” Am I
doing enough for family and others, and for people in need? Am I doing enough
to have a really great Christmas? Have any of you heard that question? Have you
felt the pressure? Do you know the drive and quiet sense of desperation that
question kindles? Even good Christian customs of doing for others can become
exaggerated, distorted, twisted, and more a source of pressure than of
pleasure.
This is not the way it is supposed to be for us. It was for freedom that
Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to
a yoke of slavery. For the Hebrews, freedom meant release from the burden
of countless laws and the pressure of tightly prescribed rituals, performed
until they could feel good about themselves. For the Gentiles, freedom meant
release from the pressures of the chaotic culture around them, from a kind of
blind obedience to the false promise that “you will be happy if …” And for us,
at this time of the year, freedom means release from these myths that come
clothed in the bright wrapping paper of the Christmas season and then
disappoint and spoil the joy for us. Freedom means release from the pressures
of the season that drive us, that whisper false promises to us, that hold us in
unquestioned obedience.
Paul tells us how to
escape. He says “stand fast.” Do not become entangled. Be aware. Stand fast.
Resist. Paul calls us to stand fast, but this is not just by determination. Our
resistance rests on the power of knowing that we are loved by God. This truth
proves stronger than the false promises. The truth is that Christmas is about
the love of God who stoops, and stays, and stands with us. Christmas is about
God getting on His hands and knees with us, about sharing life with us, about
being persistent in love and commitment to us. We stand fast in recognizing,
remembering and relying on the Christmas promise that we are brought Good News
of great joy that we are loved. Rooted in this love, we stand fast. And then we
walk by the Spirit, doing what love tells us instead of what the pressures of
the season demand of us. It is relying on the love of God to direct our
planning for Christmas instead of the pressure of the times. Do you know what
it is like to walk in the Spirit, to plan and prepare in the trust and
confidence that you, and those you love, are loved by God?
From a sermon preached by
Henry Dobbs Pope
© Rhonda Hinkle Mitchell
Broyles
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