Christmas Rebellion

By Pastor Christian on 12/20/09

This Sunday Brandon encouraged us to REBEL against the current meaning of Christmas.  Let me just say, I loved it. Why? Because, Christmas has become downright schmary in many ways. It appears to be made primarily for little kids, like cartoons. Because, it is stressful. Because it’s expensive. Because, at the end, I am usually exhausted and slightly disappointed. And, MOSTLY, because ultimately, I do not feel any closer to Jesus Christ - just much closer to 190 on the scale. And, something inside of me is yelling, “this cant be it!” This cannot be was the revolution looks like! This can’t be what incendiary truth on earth looks like. This can’t be the mission of the church. This just can’t be it. This ISN’T it, is it?!

No friends, this is not it, and that is what I loved about Brandon’s message, he made us remember our heritage. He made us look back and remember who we are. He pointed to the birth of this Kingdom and he said, “LOOK- REBELS!” They were rebels who stood up in the face of “great” power, even to their own peril. The theologian and historian he quoted today with the unfortunate name of Ethelbert Stauffer also wrote a compelling article suggesting that martyrdom (self-sacrifice), is at the very core of Christianity. Without those who are willing to give everything this “movement” has no birth, no life, and no future. Jesus called us to pick up our crosses after him.
So consider this, Jesus’ birth 2000 years ago launched a revolution that spread from Bethlehem to Rome, and from Rome to the rest of the world. Kings and kingdoms have fallen. Men and women have given their lives to protect it. Nations have changed course and millions have been saved because of the baby born in a manger. 

It’s good for us to remember that this is OUR story. This is OUR spiritual DNA. These are our people and WE serve the REBEL King who is the TRUE ruler of the world; the author of creation, the master of eternity, and the LORD whom we serve. Insert those words into our celebration and Christmas seems far from the tame little occasion we have created, and much closer to a rebellion against the culture of the world. Pretty cool eh? Ready to get on board? Ready to Rebel?

Will you share your story of planned rebellion?

PS. It is worth noting, that in the big picture, it is the world who is in real rebellion from the rightful King. And it is we, his children, who are reversing the rebellion of evil. It is only in our resistance to the broken culture around us that we are Rebels. In fact, we are heirs to the real kingdom.

Peace,

Christian

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