"THE SAD, SAD, PART ABOUT CHRISTMAS"
TEXT: MATTHEW 2:1-12
INTRODUCTION
In 3 days it will be Christmas day. All over the world people are fighting the crowds at malls, wrapping presents, putting bikes and swing sets together, sitting on Santa’s lap, decorating Christmas trees, putting lights on their homes, cooking big dinners, going to Christmas parties, singing Jingle Bells and frosty the snowman. People everywhere, from ages 1 to 92 are excited, and they are wishing just about everyone they meet, a Merry Christmas.
What’s the big deal, what’s all the excitement about?
True, the world is excited and busy there can be no doubt about that, but most are not excited for the same reason that Christians, "should" be excited.
Most of our world has no idea what Christmas is all about. A few years back around Christmas I watched an episode of the TV show Rosanne. During the week I had seen a commercial advertizing the show and I wanted to watch the show to hear what was said. In the show, Rosanne is having a discussion with her mother about whether or not God exists. And her sister walks up in the middle of the conversation and whines, "come on it’s Christmas, let’s not be talking about God now". And you could hear the audience laugh.
They just don’t get it do they?
Now, I don’t have anything personal against Santa, Rudoulph the Red nose reindeer or frosty the snow man, But I do have a problem with the fact that the world puts them ahead of Christ. Look around at the decorations and compare the number of Santa’s and reindeers you see to the number of nativity scenes or the number of shows on TV about the true menaiung compared to others. Who wins, it’s sad isn’t it?
I’d like to read to you a parody of Luke’s account of the birth of Christ, that really underscores just how far our world has let the true meaning of Christmas slip away from them.
"And there were in the same country children keeping watch over there stockings by the fireplace. And lo! Santa Claus came upon them, and they were sore afraid. And Santa said unto them `Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy
that is for all people who can afford them. For unto you will be given great feasts of turkey, dressing and cake; and many presents; and this shall be a sign unto you, ye shall find the presents, wrapped in bright paper, lying beneath a tree adorned with tinsel, colored balls and lights. And suddenly, there will be with you a multitude of relatives and friends, praising you and saying, `thank you so much, it was just what I wanted’ And it shall come to pass as the friends and relatives have gone their away to their own homes, the parents shall say to one another, What a mess to clean up! I’m tired, let’s go to bed and pick it up tomorrow. Thank goodness, Christmas only comes once a year!’ And they go with haste to their cold bed and find their desired rest."
Year after year, Christmas comes around and yet the majority of people never give a second thought to the only reason we have christmas to begin with. They don’t understand that without Christ their Christmas is just mas.
God because He loved the world so much: came into the world, put on human flesh, and he even started out the same way you and I did, as a soft and tender crying baby >>> yet far too many people don’t ever take the time to go and see this king -- to bow down and worship him.
You see, the sad sad part about Christmas is that some people don’t know, they don’t understand, they refuse to even consider that the only reason we have Christmas, is because in the town of Bethlehem nearly 2000 years ago, God made a promise come true. A promise to send a Savior to redeem mankind. And they don’t realize that this promise is for them too, it is their gift from God. But not only will they not open the gift, many won’t even take the time to look at the package.
Now, this insanity is not something new, it is not something that was made up by the American culture. No this insanity is nearly 2000 years old.
For you see, as soon as Jesus was born into this world He began to force men to make a decision >> from that day in the manger they began grouping themselves into three separate groups, 3 groups which men are always divided into by the Lord.
Today as we study Matthew 2:1-12 we will see the 3 paths that men will take when they are confronted with Jesus and his truth. MATTHEW 2:1-6
1. SOME WILL EXHIBIT HATRED AND HOSTILITY
A. In our text we see that when Herod encountered Jesus and His truth, he reacted with hatred and hostility.
The magi (a term which refers, to a Persian or Babylonian wiseman and priest, the prophet Daniel was a magi placed by Nebuchadnezzar as the head of all the wiseman in Babylon, after he interpreted his dream. These wisemen were skilled in philosophy, medicine and natural science).
These Magi from the east (and notice we don’t know how many they are -- not to manger) after much traveling entered the city of Jerusalem. And I am sure after finally arriving at their destination, it was with great excitement and enthusiasm that they began to ask the people in the city, "Where is the one who was born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
We also can be sure that magi from the east bearing gifts and inquiring about a new born king, in the city of Jerusalem would really get the people’s attention. Apparently it did and in no time at all the news made it to King Herod, who was very disturbed at this report.
B. Now we need to understand that King Herod was not a nice guy. He has even been referred to as the "Jewish Nero" because of his jealousy for power and an uncontrollable suspicion of everyone, which led to his bathing his own house and kingdom in blood. Herod was a cruel and crafty man who permitted no one not even his own family to interfere with his plans. He was a ruthless murderer who had his own wife and her 2 brothers slain because he suspected them of treason. Herod was married at least 9 times in order to fulfill his lusts and strengthen his political ties. King Herod was neither a Jew or a King. He was an Edomite who usurped the throne of David, being given his rule by the Roman Empire.
Herod fought, clawed and killed in order to seize and hold on to his throne. And now the cruel and calculating King trembles, as he calls together the chief priests and asks them, "where is the Christ to be born".
C. When Herod was confronted with Jesus and his truth, his heart burned with hatred. "I can’t let this Christ, this King of the Jews, take away MY power and MY throne. I will not let him destroy this life I’ve worked for years to build. I have too much too lose, I must destroy him!"
D. And Herod the cunning men of evil that he was, weaved his diabolical plan. He found out where the Christ would be born and then secretly called the Magi back to the palace. He told them that they would find the king in Bethlehem, and then he said "when you find him let me know, so that I can worship him too".
E. Now Herod intended to kill the baby. And when the Magi were warned by God not to return to Herod, Herod was consumed with rage. And he sent soldiers to kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem that were under 2 years of age.
F. Do you know what the sad sad part about that Christmas 2000 years ago is? Herod could have gone to Bethlehem, he could have experienced first hand the great miracle of God coming into this world, he could of seen Jesus and worshiped him. But instead when he was confronted with Jesus and his truth he took the path of hatred and hostility.
G. And tragically during these 2000 years since, many men and women (millions of them) who have had the opportunity to worship Christ, who have had the opportunity to go to Bethlehem and see the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Have instead reacted with hatred and hostility.
They like Herod see Jesus (who came to save them from their sins) they see Him as a threat to their own power, glory and evil lifestyle. They tremble at the mere mention of his name, the power of His truth and the thought of how He could ruin everything.
And they like Herod act on their feelings of hatred and take hostile action against the True King. They must get rid of Him before He destroys their plans. We see examples of this all over our world and our once Godly country. They’ve : taken God and prayer out of schools, removed Nativity scenes from public buildings, removed crosses from water towers, forbidden prayer at school graduations, they’ve mocked the Holy one and have called it art and they’ve very cunningly tried to obstruct the real meaning of Christmas by blocking The Holy Christ Child in the manger with; Santa, reindeer, snowmen, scrooge, gifts and the grinch. Now, these things are not neccessarily bad, BUT!!, it is not what Christmas is about!!
Some when confronted with Jesus and His truth will exhibit hatred and hostility. But let me make one thing perfectly clear,
Just as the plans of Herod to stop the Christ failed (the magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod and Joseph was warned by an angel to flee to Egypt), In like manner so will all attempts to dethrone the true King today, I don’t care whether it is the Media, the Supreme court or the ACLU, Jesus Christ is The King of Kings & Lord of Lord’s and no one is EVER going to take away his crown!
RAY BOLTZ
WHEN YOU WERE BORN THERE LIVED A KING WHATEVER HE WNATED HIS SERVANTS WOULD BRING. HIS POWER SEEMED SO GRETAT TO THE POPLE BACK THEN HIS GLORY FADED AND YOURS NEVER WILL END....
YOU ARE STILL REIGNING - GLORIOUS ONE - MIGHTY RDEMER -- GOD’S PRECIOUS SON
2. OTHERS WHEN CONFRONTED WITH JESUS AND HIS TRUTH EXPERIENCE COMPLETE IN DIFFERENCE
A. When Herod called the chief priests and teachers of the law together, when he asked them where the Christ child was to be born, they immediately knew the answer. There is no indication in the text that they even had to think about it. "where is the christ to be born, why of coarse, he is to be born in Bethlehem".
As it is written in the prophet Micah, "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be a shepherd of my people Israel".
They knew, they had studied the word of God, and they knew. I don’t understand why they didn’t drop their scrolls RIGHT THEN AND THERE, put on a pair of Air Samson Sandals and run to Bethlehem, to the Christ child and worship their Messiah. It just blows my mind, that those who had the most knowledge regarding the coming of Jesus Christ, the promised Savior, into the world, were not the ones most interested in searching for him. They didn’t even care.
B. I came across a story about a shepherd who lived 2000 years ago, that really drives the point home about indifference to Christ.
The story is about shepherd who was a youth on that first Christmas night. And now he is old and as his grandson sits on his knee he recalls that night, "A long, long time ago, when I was a little more than a boy, I was out on the Judean hills one night with some other shepherds, keeping watch over the flock. And an angel of the Lord came upon us and the glory of the Lord shone roundabout us. And we were very afraid. But the angel said, "fear not... for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord... you shall find the baby in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
When he had said this the old man’s lips quivered and ceased to move and there was silence. Then the grandson turns and looks with wide, puzzled eyes into his grandfathers face and says, " But, grandfather is that all? What did you do when you heard the good news? Was what the angel said really true? Was the Christ child ever really born?"
The old shepherd sadly shakes his white head and answers, " I never knew. I never went to see. Some say that it is all a myth. Others say they found in Him, the light of God and the power for life. But for me I could never be quite sure. Because I never did go to see."
C. The chief priests and teachers of the law, when confronted with Jesus and His truth, were completely indifferent, they didn’t even care enough to go to Bethlehem to see the Messiah.
God’s great plan for the Redemption of his people, a plan that had been spoken of, and waited for, since the garden of Eden was now dramatically unfolding and reaching it’s climax. The scriptures that they had studied and read were being fulfilled in their very own lifetime just 20 miles down the road, and they didn’t even care enough to go and check it out.
D. Do you know what? It still happens today.
People all around the world, all over this country, maybe even in this room are just like those Chief Priests. They too have heard about Jesus, they know he lived. They may even have a Bible in their homes that tells of this Jesus who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They may even come to church now and then. But they have never in their own lives taken the time to go to Bethlehem to see Jesus. To kneel before their Lord and Savior and give him their lives in heart felt worship.
What a tragedy to exchange cards and gifts, to decorate trees and homes, to go to Christmas parties, to sing Christmas carols, to even go to a Christmas service at church AND STILL NEVER REALLY FIND AND EXPERIENCE THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.
To not be willing, to not take the time, to grab our staff and put on our sandals and make OUR journey to Bethlehem, and accept God’s gift of Jesus and of LIFE!!
So many just go through all the right motions, but they are so far from the King.
Christmas is such a wonderful and happy time. But the sad, sad part about Christmas is that some, that far too many never experience the true meaning. Some react with hatred and hostility and others are completely indifferent, to God’s gift that came down to earth and was lying in a manger.
But there are others in our text today, the Magi and these men are examples to us, as to How we can experience the true meaning of Christmas in our lives.
3. THEY WHEN CONFRONTED WITH JESUS AND HIS TRUTH FELL DOWN ON THEIR KNEES AND EXPRESSED ADORING WORSHIP
A. The Magi serve as great examples to all who would seek to know the truth, to all who yearn to walk the streets of Bethlehem to see the King of Kings.
B. The Magi left their homes, their families and at great expense traveled hundreds of miles to follow a star to search for the Christ Child. There were no air conditioned cars with CD players for them, no hotels and no Burger Kings to drive through to grab lunch. It was a difficult trip through difficult land. BUT they knew that at the end of the journey they would find the Messiah, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
C. And they followed the star and it stopped over the house where Jesus was. And when they saw Jesus they fell immediately down and worshipped Him. And they gave Him 3 gifts which they had brought with them all through their journey. And each gift has a very special meaning.
They gave Jesus Gold because He is the One True King.
They gave Jesus Incense because He is our Great High Priest.
And they gave Him Myrrh (which was an odorless gum that was used for embalming soldiers who had given their life in battle), they gave him myrrh because as we talked about last week Jesus was born to die; Jesus was born to be a soldier who would give His life on the battlefield at Calvary to pay for Our sins.
YES, THE MAGI EXPERIENCED THE "REAL" MEANING OF CHRISTMAS THAT NIGHT IN THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM. AND ALL WHO FOLLOW THEIR PATTERN, FOLLOW THEIR EXAMPLE, WILL AS WELL EXPERIENCE THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.
THE MAGI DID 3 THINGS THAT WE ALSO MUST DO TO "REALLY" EXPERIENCE CHRIST -- AND UNDERSTAND UNTIL YOU RERALLY EXPERINCE CHRIST YOU WILL NOT EXPERINCE CHRISTMAS.
TO EXPERINCE CHRIST;
1. WE LIKE THEY MUST SEARCH FOR CHRIST;
WE EACH MUST MAKE OUR OWN JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM, TO PERSONALLY MEET THE KING AND MAKE HIM A LIVING REALITY IN OUR LIVES.
WE CAN’T SEND OTHERS TO BRING BACK NEWS FOR US -- WE MUST GO OURSELVES.
AND WE CAN’T BE LIKE MARTHA WHO CONFUSED WORKING IN THE KITCHEN FOR THE LORD AS MORE IMPORTANT THEN SITTING AT HIS FEET AND LEARNING FORM HIM, LIKE HER SISTER MARY DID. UNDERSTAND YOU ARE NOT GOING TO FIND JESUS COOKING A MEAL OR PAINTING A WALL (NOW THOSE ARE NOT BAD THINGS) BUT YOU ONLY FIND HIM "ONE ON ONE" IN HIS WORD AND IN PRAYER....
AND AS PAUL SAYS IN ACTS 17; IF WE SEEK HIM AND REACH OUT TO HIM WE WILL FIND HIM BECAUSE HE IS NOT FAR FROM ANY OF US...
2. AND WE LIKE THEY (IF WE WNAT TO EXPERINCE CHRIST MUST BOW DOW IN HUMBLE WORSHIP; AS WE STAND IN HIS GLORIOUS PRESNESE. WHAT IS WORSHIP? WELL, WE CALL OUR SERVICE ON SUNDAY’S AT 10:30 A WORSHIP SERVICE... AND THTA IS WORSHIP, BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO WORSHIP THEN THIS...
IN STUDYING SCRIPTURE THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED, "THE RULE OF FIRST MENTION." WHICH BASICALLY MEANS THAT THE VERY FIRST TIME A WORD IS MENTIONED IN SCRIPTURE GIVES A GOOD INDICATION OF GOD’S INTENDED MENAING FOR THTA WORD.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE THE WORD WORSHIP IS FIRST MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? IT’S IN GENESIS -- THE 22ND CHAPTER. DO YOU REMEBER WHAT IS TKAING PLACE THERE?
ABRAHAM AND ISAAC HAVE JUST ARRIVED AT THE BASE OF MT. MORIAH --THE MOUNTAIN UPON WHICH GOD HAS COMMANDED ABRAHAM TO SACRIFICE HIS SON. THE SON HE LOVED. THEY HAD BEEN TRAVELING 3 DAYS AND WHEN THEY ARRIVED ABRAHAM SAID TO HIS SERVANTS AS RECORDED IN GEN 22:5, "STAY HERE WITH THE DONKEY WHILE I AN THE BOY GO OVER THERE. WE WILL WORSHIP AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU...." "WHILE WE GO OVER THERE AND WORSHIP - NOW THE SERVANTS MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN WHY ABRAHMN AN DISAAC WERE GOIN GUP OMN MOUNT MORIAH - BUT WE KNOW HE WAS GOING THERE TO KILL HIS SON.
THERFORE ONE THING THAT GOD IN THIS FIRST MENTION OF WORSHIP IS CLEARLY TEACHING IS THAT TO WORSHIP HIM, INVOLVES SACRIFICE - "GREAT SCARIFICE."
THE MAGI WORSHIPPED THE CHRIST CHILD -- THEY SCARIFIED THEIR TIME, LEFT THEIR HOMES -- TRAVELED GREAT DISTANCE THROUGH A ROUGH LAND -- THEY SCARIFIED THEIR COMFORT AND CAST ASIDE THEIR PERSONAL CONVENIENCE IN ORDER TO SEE THE CHRIST CHILD..
AND THESE MAGI WITH MUCH FORETHOUGHT, BROUGHT WITH THEM GREAT GIFTS, GIFTS FIT FOR A KING. AND THESE GIFTS REPRESENTED GREAT SACRIFICE. THE MAGI GAVE THE BEST THEY HAD. THEY CAME TO THE CHRIST PREPARED TO GIVE... (GIFTS USED TO FUND FLIGHT TO EGYPT - REMEBER JOESPH WAS POOR).
IF WE WANT TO EXPERINCE CHRIST THEN WE MUST WORSHIP CHRIST AND TO "REALLY" WORSHIP CHRIST INVOLVES SACRIFICE.... WE MUST BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE OUR TIME, OUR TALENTS AND OUR TREASURE.
AND WE CAN’T WORSHIP THE LORD ONLY WHEN IT FITS OUR SCHEDULE -OR WHEN IT SOEMHTING WE LIKE TO DO -- (PARTY VS PRYAER MEETING) -- >>> {HOW LONG WERE THE MAGI GONE? DID THYE HAVE A FAMILY? OTHER RESPONSIBILTIES?}
I’M SURE ABRAHAM COULD HAVE THOUGHT UP A MILLION OF OTHER THINGS TO DO RTAHE RTHEN SCARIFICE HIS SON; HE COULD OF USED HIS LOVE FOR HIS CHILD AS AN EXCUSE NOT WORHSIP GOD BUT HE DIDN’T.... WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS EVENT TAUGHT ISAAC ABOUT WORHSIP AND WHERE GOD RANKS IN ONES LIFE?
DOES YOUR WORSHIP INVOLVE SACRIFICE?
IF IT DOESSN’T IT IS NOT WORSHIP.
>> TO REALLY EXPERINCE THE EMNAING OF CHRISTNAS W EMUST SEARCH FOR CHRIST - WORSHIP CHRIST AND
3. WE LIKE THEY MUST SUBMIT TO THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST...
AFTER SEEING THE CHRIST CHILD, THE MAGI WERE WARNED BY GOD NOT TO RETURN TO HEROD AS HE HAD REQUESTED. THEY WERE COMNDED TO RETURN TO THERE COUNTRY BY ANOTHER ROUTE. IT MAY HAVE BEEN AN UNFAMILIAR ROUTE, OR LESS CONVENIENT, MORE COSTLY, UNCOMFORTBALE, MORE DANGEROUS OR A LESS TRAVELED ONE, BUT IT WAS THE WAY THAT GOD WANTED THEM TO GO AND THEY SUBMITTED TO HIS WILL. AND SO MUST WE......
SOMEITMES WHAT GOD CALLS US TO DO IS UNFAMILAR, LESS CONVENINET, NOT COMFORTBALE GOES AGAINST WHO WE WNAT TO BE OR HOW WE WNAT TO ACT -- AND SOMETIMES IT IS RISKY, COSTLY AND DNAGEROUS -- BUT TO "REALLY" EXPERINCE CHRIST WE MUST SUBMIT TO HIS LORDSHIP...
ARE THEN ANY AREAS AREAS IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOE THAT ARE IN OPPOSTION TO HIS WILL AS REVELED IN HIS WORD.... YOU CAN’T "REALLY" EXPERIENCE CHRISTMAS WHILE LIVING IN DISOBEDINCE.
AS WE ENCOUNTER "THE CHRIST" AND ALL OF WILL AND MOST OF US HAVE... WILL WE BE JUST ANOTHER STATISTIC IN THE SAD, SAD PART ABOUT CHRISTMAS - WILL WE MISS HAVING JESUS REALLY CHANGE AND IMPACT OUR LIVES.... BECAUSE
> WE EXHIBIT HATRED & HOSTILITY TOWARDS CHRIST, BECAUSE HE THREATENS OUR COMFORT - OUR WAY OF LIFE..
> OR BECAUAZE WE ARE INDIFFERENT, HOW MANY CHRISTMAS PARTIES ARE THERE WHERE THE MAJOR GOAL IS TO GET PLASTERED OR PICKED UP (ALL IN THE NAME OF CLEBERATING CHRIST BIRTH). BUT DON’T GET TO CRTICAL OF THE LOST BECASE JUST LIKE IT WAS 2,000 YERAS AGO OFTNE THOSE WHO SHOULD BE THE MOST EXCITED ABOUT CHRIST -- FAIL TO SEE WHAT THE BIG DEAL IS. TO THEM HE IS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT SO THEY DON’T BOTHER TO MAKE THE TRIP TO BE WITH HIM...
EACH YEAR THEY CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH BUT THEY DON’T REALLY KNOW HIM... THEY MAY SET UP A MANGER BUT THEY ARE FAR FROM THE CROSS.
ONLY THOSE WHO ARE LIKE THE MAGI;
THOSE WHO: SEARCH INTNESLTY FOR THE CHRIST -- WORSHIP AND SACRIFICE FOR THE CHRIST -- AND SUBMIT TO THE LORDSHIP OF THE CHRIST WE EVER KNOW THE GREAT JOY OF WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT..
THERE IS MORE TO CHRISTAMS THEN ANY OF US HAS EVER EXPERINCED....
CONCLUSION
MANY PEOPLE FROM AROUND FLORIDA AND NOW THE NATION AND THE WORLD ARE MAKING A TIRP TO US 19 AND DREW STREET IN CLEARWATER. THIS PAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT BETWEEN 6 PM AND 8:30 PM THE POLICE COUNTED 19,000 VISITORS. IT IS NOW EVEN TALKED BAOUT OIN THE NATIONAL NEWS.
TEMPORAY SIGNS HAVE BENE INTALED TO DIRECT PEOPEL TO PARKING - POTRABLE TRESTROOMS HAVE BENE SET UP....
MANY ARE ALL EXCITED, MAKING THE TRIP TO SEE WHAT THEY BELIVE IS A MIRCALE AN IMAGE OF THE VIRGIN MARY.
NOW I DON’T KNOW IF THIS IS A MIRCLAE?
I DON’T KNOW IF IT IS A SIGN?
I DON’T IF GOD HAS HAD HIS HNAD IN THIS?
AND THOUGH A TRIP TO THIS MAY BE INTERSTING - IT IS NOT GOING TO SAVE ANYONE.
ONCE WHEN JESUS WAS TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO WNATED TO SEE MIRCLAES AND SIGNS HE TOLD THEM THTA THE ONLY SIGN THYE WOULD BE GIVEN WOULD BE HIS DETAH - BURIAL AND RESURRECTION. THAT’S WHAT SVAES US AND NOT STAINED GLASS WINDOWS ON TH ESIDE OF A BUILDING.
HAS THE GREAT MIRCLAE OF THE TRUE CHRISTMAS BEOME SO OLD THAT STAINS ON A BUILDING ARE MORE EXCITING TO US.
IF YOU WNAT TO REALLY EXPERICE CHRISTAMS YOU DON’T HAVE TO FIGHT THE CROWDS AT DREW AND US 19 - YOU MAKE THE TRIP TO BETHELME YOURSLEF AND HAVE A PEROSNAL ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS...
EVERY YEAR PAUL HARVEY TELLS THE STORY ABOUT A MAN WHO WAS AN ATHEIST. HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN DID NOT SHARE HIS UNBELIEF, AND EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE THEY WENT TO THE CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE AT THE CHURCH WHILE THE MAN STAYED HOME AND READ THE PAPER. WHEN THE FAMILY RETURNED FORM THE SERVICE, THEY OPENED THEIR PRESENTS AND CELEBRATED THE HOLIDAY. THE ATHEIST WAS NOT A BAD MAN. HE JUST WAS NOT A HYPOCRITE, AND COULDN’T BUY ALL OF THAT NONSENSE ABOUT GOD BECOMING MAN.
ON ONE PARTICULAR CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FAMILY HAD GONE TO CHURCH AND THE MAN WAS READING THE PAPER. HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE LIVING ROOM WINDOW, AND HE WENT TO CHECK. HE FOUND THAT A SNOWSTORM HAD ENVELOPED AND THAT THE BIRDS OUTSIDE, TRYING TO ESCAPE THE STORM, WERE TRYING TO GET INTO THE HOUSE BY FLYING AGAINST THE PICTURE WINDOW. THEY SW THE WARMTH OF THE HOUSE THROUGH THE WINDOW, AND THEY WERE FLYING AGAINST IT AND FALLING TO THE GROUND.
WITH THE COMPASSION WE SOMETIMES FEEL FOR HURT CREATURES, THE MAN DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE BIRDS. HE PUT ON HIS HEAVY COAT AND BOOTS AND WENT OUT INTO THE YARD. HE TIRED TO SHOO THE BIRDS AWAY FROM THE WINDOW, BUT TO THE BIRDS HE WAS NA ENEMY AND THEY FLEW AWAY FROM HIM, AGAINST THE WINDOW. THE MAN WALKED DOWN TO THE BARN, OPENED THE DOORS, AND TURNED ON THE LIGHT, THINKING THAT THE BIRDS WOULD SEE THE LIGHTS AND FLY INTO THE BARN FOR ITS WARMTH. BUT AS HE TRIED TO THEM TO SEE, THEY ONLY FLEW FORM HIM FRIGHTENED BY HIS EFFORTS TO HELP.
AS HE STOOD IN THE STORM AND WATCHED THE BIRDS, THE MAN THOUGHT TO HIMSELF, "THOSE DUMB BIRDS. THEY SIMPLY DON’T UNDERSTAND. IF I COULD JUST FIND A WAY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM. IF I COULD JUST FIND A WAY TO LET THEM KNOW THAT I AM NOT THEIR ENEMY. IF--IF i COULD ONLY BECOME A BIRD, I WOULD MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND."
AT THAT MOMENT THE BELLS ON THE CHURCH STEEPLE BEGAN TO RING, SIGNALING THE END OF THE CHRISTMAS SERVICE. AS THE MAN HEARD THE BELLS, HE THOUGHT OF GOD, WHOSE FEELINGS WERE NOT DISSIMILAR TO HIS OWN IN TRYING TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE BIRDS. IN A FLASH OF UNDERSTANDING AND INSIGHT, THE MAN REALIZED WHAT CHRISTMAS WAS ALL ABOUT, AND HE FEEL TO HIS KNEES IN TH SNOW AN PRAYED, "OH GOD, I JUST DIDN’T UNDERSTAND. I JUST DIDN’T UNDERSTAND.
