The Joy Of Christmas Series

As people across the globe reel from one crisis to another, the Collins English Dictionary just last month (November 2022) revealed its 2022 word of the year: “permacrisis.” Harper Collins, the dictionary’s publisher, defines “permacrisis” as “an extended period of instability and insecurity, especially one resulting from a series of catastrophic events.”

A blog post on the Collins Dictionary website noted that the term rings true because of the war in Ukraine, political instability, and the surge in inflation. It goes on to say the term embodies the “dizzying sense of lurching from one unprecedented event to another,” as people wonder what new “horrors” might be around the corner (Greg Cannella, “Collins English Dictionary reveals its 2022 word of the year,” CBS News, 11-1-22; www.PreachingToday.com).

That’s the world in which we live today, a world in “permacrisis.” Even so, you can find joy in such a world! How? You ask. Well, if you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to Matthew 2, Matthew 2, where some people “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” in a time when everybody else was troubled.

Matthew 2:1-3 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him… (ESV).

Let me tell you, when Herod was troubled, everybody was troubled, because they knew heads would roll. Herod came to power in 37 B.C. three years after the Roman Senate declared him “King of the Jews,” even though he was not a Jew himself. When that happened, Herod gathered an army together, captured Jerusalem and ruled the Jews until his death in 4 B.C. As you can imagine, the Jews hated him for this, and there were constant uprisings and plots to overthrown him. As a result, Herod became ruthless in suppressing any opposition. He even killed members of his own family to protect his position, including his own wife and sons. Even on his death-bed, just five days before his died, he ordered the execution of Antipater, another one of his sons.

He was so ruthless, Augustus said of him, “It is better to be Herod’s hog than to be his son.”

Herod was king, and he meant it to stay that way. So when he heard about another “King of the Jews,” a potential rival to the throne, he was disturbed. He hated the thought of it all. He despised even the idea of a new king.

And so do some today. There are some who say they are offended by the symbols of Christmas. This time of year, we hear about the ACLU, the Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation, opposing any expression of faith. They hate the idea of a Christ who would be King, just like Herod did. Certainly, that’s no way to enjoy Christmas this year or any year, so…

DON’T HATE CHRISTMAS.

Don’t despise it like Herod did.

Now, for most of you that’s not a problem. But some of you may have a different problem, perhaps like that of the religious leaders in Herod’s day.

Matthew 2:4-6 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel’” (ESV)

These religious leaders are good! They can quote an obscure Hebrew prophecy about where Messiah is going to be born (Micah 5:2), but they never make the five mile trip from Jerusalem to Bethlehem to see him. Sure, they know their stuff, but they don’t really care. It has become so familiar to them that it ceases to amaze them anymore.

The religious leaders had become indifferent, and that happens to a lot of religious people, especially those who grew up in the church. They’ve heard the Christmas story so many times, it ceases to capture their hearts. And if you’re not careful, you too can develop a “ho hum” attitude about it all. You too can become indifferent to the real meaning of Christmas. You too can become indifferent to Immanuel, to the fact that God really is with us!

He’s as near as a prayer, but how many really pray. Like the religious leaders of old, some don’t even take the time to enjoy His presence anymore. Please, if you want to find real joy in a world in permacrisis…