celebrating christmas

tonight and tomorrow, all over the world, christians and non-christians alike celebrate.  some celebrate the "holidays."  some celebrate santa claus, saint nicholas, kris kringle, etc.  some celebrate by simply getting together as families and exchanging gifts.  different cultures have different twists on how they do it.

but all over the world, there are some that celebrate the birth of a baby boy believed to be the son of God.  that he was conceived divinely through a young virgin girl - sent to share the good news, live a sinless life, and save sinners by dying on a cross. 

from purely an intellectual standpoint, it all sounds crazy.  the idea of jesus sounds just as crazy as that of santa claus!  but to believe, to know him, to trust him - defies knowledge.  paul wrote in 1 corinthians 1:

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:  “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”  Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe."

 
i personally love that the story of jesus - the story that i believe with every ounce of my being - seems too crazy to be believable.  i couldn't imagine putting all my faith and hope into practical things, easily understood.  then it wouldn't really be faith, would it? 

i also love that the seemingly crazy story of the birth of jesus christ is what causes practically the whole world to celebrate on this day, whether they know why or not.

tonight, while fireworks erupt all over guatemala, and millions celebrate all over the world, i remember a baby that was born in obscurity over 2,000 years ago.  a baby sent from an all-powerful God that could have chosen a more "prestigious" entrance into mankind if he wanted to.  but he came poor and humbly - to be one of us, so that we could relate with him.

he lived, died, and rose again - so that i could live forever.  and for all who believe. 

christmas represents an amazing and supernatural event.  may we all celebrate, and may many believe.