Christmas in Easter Tide

  “Giving gifts can open doors; it gives access to important people!” Proverbs 18:16

  I am sure I’ve read this Proverb before but this morning it leaped off the page because Jesus came along and redefined who important people are! Jesus came along and redefined the idea of status, of social standing, of hierarchy. Jesus came along and taught us that humility is the gateway to success.

  A while back, there was a teaching series at church about women. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he said that women should wear a head covering while praying or prophesying. I learned why. Head covering was a sign of status in Jewish society. (1 Corinthians 11:6) If all women wore head coverings, it was the equalizer for all followers of Jesus. It meant that no one at the gathering would know their place in society because it didn’t matter!

  Paul asked the wealthy to humble themselves and the prostitutes to embrace the idea they were just as valuable to God.

 

  The Christmas Carol, The Little Drummer Boy has come to mind. He had no gift to bring except to play his drum. He came before the infant Jesus in the company of kings.

  Pa-rum-pa-pa-pum.

  So this song will be stuck in my head all day now. (Smile.)

 

  Giving gifts with no thought on the rewards for giving is at the core of our Lord’s heart. God gave us life, knowing Adam and Eve would turn away from Him. But He had a plan. God gave us His Son, knowing He would die. The Son died, knowing not all would follow Him. But He still laid down His life for us so we might live in the fullness of being a child of God.

  That means marching to the beat of a different drum.

  My global family, please join me in a prayer for the Christians in India who are being persecuted for their faith. May God be with them May He comfort them in their trials, during their imprisonment and even in death should it come to that. Be with the families of those who are being persecuted. Keep them safe. Clear the path for these brothers and sisters in Christ to flee if this is what becomes necessary. Give them the means to do so. In Jesus' name. AMEN!