Christmas 2022- Who is Jesus?

The headlines concerning just Who is Jesus were wild this year. Some news stories suggested that if Jesus were here today, he would march in a gay pride parade. Some professor tried to prove that Jesus was transgender and it made international headlines. Other stories suggest that some World Economic Forum participants have openly discussed Jesus with much derision, even suggesting that Jesus is fake news. In the cancel culture that we live in, why would any of us be surprised if that were true?

As we arrive at Christmas 2022, we even find the President of the United States giving a Christmas message without mentioning the name of Jesus. He seemed to do everything to avoid making a clear and affirming  Christian message. It seems Santa Claus has replaced Jesus as the center of Christmas. The popular culture has successfully replaced the message of the Savior of the world being born in Bethlehem with a message centered on gift-giving, entertainment and general peace, love and other feel good stuff.

🎶 “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” not because a Savior was born who could save us from our sins.  What about the ever popular , 🎶🎶 “all I want for Christmas is you”,  and by “you” I don’t mean Jesus. It is official, we have cancelled the real Christmas! The Bible predicted as much when it said in 2 Thessalonians 2:3a Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless there be a falling away first. Meaning the time of the Antichrist will not come until many have rejected God. It makes sense too. 

We need God Almighty to make sense of our lives and our world. If we reject the message of the Bible and instead turn inward to our own thoughts and directives we would be easy prey for the Antichrist. If history has taught us anything it is that people look for leadership in all the wrong places.

Who is Jesus? I could think of no better thoughts for Christmas 2022 than to contemplate and reaffirm the truth about what we celebrate on Christmas. Jesus had an interesting conversation with his disciples in the gospel of Luke 9:18-22 which mirrors the ideas that we are exploring today. In the context of Luke we find that Jesus had given authority to his disciples to preach and heal in his name. As they ministered to the crowd they were beginning to understand many things that Jesus had taught them. 

There was more equipping yet to come as Jesus prepared them and us for a greater understanding. And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias, and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; saying, the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. - Luke 9:18-22. 

The crowds, then and now. have a lot to say about just Who is Jesus? Some people thought Jesus was a prophet. What has changed? Today there are whole religions who believe Jesus is merely a prophet. Some people thought that he was a popular reformer such as John the Baptist, many today believe Jesus is a sort of Che Guevara or a gender equity activist. 

The power of this central historical figure has never been lost on many movers and shakers so, they seek to co-opt his power and message to propel their agenda to the forefront. Political movements have done it and the Antichrist will do it too. Jesus explored this topic with his closest disciples. He wanted them and us, to know that there will be controversy around just Who is Jesus. 

Jesus asked his disciples and us the second question, which is who do you say that I am? If you have any doubt I want you to again hear what Peter said, The Christ of God. The whole bible was written from Genesis to Revelation to point to, direct to and describe the Savior of the world and his mission. As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us not lose sight of this. Let us affirm the truth amid a world scrambling to understand just Who is Jesus. Let us proclaim and acknowledge him as we open our presents by the tree, as we meet and greet family and friends and eat a celebratory meal. Merry Christmas in the name of Lord Jesus we celebrate!

As is my custom every year, I review blog statistics and attempt to say Merry Christmas to all my readers in their native language. I can’t get accent marks working when on blogger but, here goes anyway: 

Merry Christmas, Feliz Natal, з Різдвом, Veseloho Vam Rizdva, Boas Festas, Joyeux Noel, с РождествомHristos, Razdajetsja, Zalig Kerstfeest, Frohliche Weihnachten, Buon Natalie, عيدميلادمجيدmerry Milad Mubarak, Natal Mubarak, Sretan Bozic, メリークリスマス,merry merry Merii Kirisumasu, Happy Christmas, Selamat Hari Natal, Feliz Navidad, Sheng Tan Kuai Loh, Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal, wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia, Wesolych Swiat, and کریسمس مبارک

Russian Friend

The last time that I blogged about the Russian-Ukrainian War was near Easter of this past year. I was moved by the contemplation of Christ’s death and Resurrection to hope for an Easter miracle, the cessation of this war.  Sadly, that was not to be. However, I did not think the war could possibly last this long. Yet it has. The stories of rape, torture, death and destruction are unfathomable and each day brings more and more cruelty beyond the pale. 

The inability of the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and NATO to deal with this situation effectively is all you need to know as regards the power and efficacy of such groups. What about the billions that have poured into Ukraine from all over the world, and the economic sanctions against Russia? China, India, Turkey, Iran, and North Korea are doing so much damage supporting Russia as they seek more and more influence on the world stage. The faith that we place in our own earthly wisdom and institutions are misplaced. God is the only one who will eventually end all wars for good. 

Amid all of this, I feel like I have been living a double life with my Russian Friend Jenica* . Even though it has been almost a full year since the Russians invaded the Ukraine, Jenica and I have yet to have a real and serious discussion on the war. When I look out my window here in the United States, I am able to see people with Ukrainian flags on their lawns in support of that country.  I have been giving donations to Christian ministries active in Ukraine and yet I have yet to discuss any of that with Jenica.

Am I one to shrink away from stating my point of view or painful truths?  Have I had a fear of losing our friendship, yes at times. But, first and foremost I am fearful of reprisals against Jenica which could result in her getting into trouble in her country of Russia should any of our communications be intercepted. Even though that is a good reason that we should be careful when and how we communicate our feelings about this war, it feels like it is the big elephant in the middle of the room every time we talk.

Our friendship as a result, seems less than authentic. War divides. It always has and it always will. People support that side which they passionately agree with and that causes divisions between those who disagree. Yet, Jenica and I have the bond that exists between people who place their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Jenica and I met on a Missions Trip. We were paired up working as a team. We did arts and crafts for children and assisted in teaching youth inspired gospel messages. That was several years ago where such things would be possible between an American and a Russian. Today, she is a university student in Moscow. The first day that the Russians invaded Ukraine, she sent me a text message evincing great shock as to what had just occurred. 

At that time, she and I were understandably in shock. However, Russians both young and old are not accustomed to betraying either their emotions or their political positions easily. Besides, it is always in the back of my mind that she is in a vulnerable position since any even perceived disapproval of the war in Russia could lead to incarceration. I try to keep that in mind every time that I feel that I want to bring up this topic. 

During this awkward first discussion, I let Jenica know that our bond in friendship is our faith in Jesus Christ and I reminded her that neither she nor I are politicians or generals.  What influence could we have on such important decisions that those above us make? I spoke of the power that we have in God. As the war began, my comments to her as I recall entailed staying close to God amid these events. I wanted to say so much more but I was unsure how safe that would be.

Jenica and I often share our thoughts and feelings about everyday events and situations in our lives. We share problems and discuss solutions. But, just lately, Jenica has this uncanny ability to text me when I have just watched a news report about a Ukrainian toddler getting run over by a Russian soldier or when I just read a report of a grandmother who got raped by a Russian soldier. My emotions are all whipped up and I wonder if I should discuss this with her. Other times I wonder if she even knows what is actually happening. 

This seems to be the year of energy and fuel disruptions. Recently, I was reading about a Russian assault on energy grids in Ukraine. These attacks have left many civilians without power forcing people into dire circumstances during sub-zero temperature conditions. As yet another allegation of war crimes is leveled against the Putin regime, I wonder how accusations of possible war crimes can be bandied about as if they have no meaning. 

Recently, when I was out Christmas shopping, Jenica’s text message came in. I told her that I was Christmas shopping and she began to remind me of the Russian traditions of the season. As usual, she mentioned what sounded like the most important part of her holiday which is gathering around her television with the rest of her family and listening to the annual New Year’s address to the nation by Vladimir Putin. 

I have often wondered if Jenica knows that the traditions of Christmas that were once celebrated in Russia were stopped by the Communists when they took over the country in 1917. I wonders if she understands the reason that she is placing pre-eminence upon the New Year’s festivities instead of the celebration of the birth of Jesus is due to the fact that her countries communist regime sought to stamp our religious practices. What a clever idea, to replace Christmas with New Year’s. They could not simply stop winter celebrations could they? Also, let us place Putin on the throne instead of Jesus. It has been working too hasn’t it? 

Until now that is. Jenica suprised me when she wondered if this year the enjoyment of the holiday would be marred by disagreements within families over Putin’s war in the Ukraine. She also said many families are divided in their opinions about the war. Some people disapprove of the war while their relatives might support it. 

This is a time, a moment in history where you have to choose a side. As believers we know there are only two choices, with God, or against God. If we are with God, it will reflect in the view that one has concerning world events such as this war, the role of government in our lives and the list goes on. Our views in a real sense will effect our family relations, our friendships and the way we choose to conduct business. Yes, Jenica was right, this year there is division but, it is a lot bigger than Vladimir Putin. It is between God and Satan and it is time for us to begin to act like we know this. Repent, read your bible, and find a bible-centered church to attend or online. 

*name is change for privacy.

NEXT-Christmas Message 2022

Let’s Talk Turkey

Can we talk about some of the family drama that accompanies Thanksgiving? It really should be a wonderful time spent with family and friends but a lot of times feathers fly and I don’t mean from the turkey. Take Mia* for example, she had just completed her Wednesday, pre-Thanksgiving workout and was getting ready to go bake pie when a knock came at the door. She wasn’t expecting anyone. When she opened the door it was her daughter Blair*who Mia had not seen for fourteen years. 

Mia’s daughter Blair had left home when some pesky rules like no drugs, no sex in your parents homes and oh yeah, getting passing grades just made her know that she needed a fresh start. She reasoned that other Westchester County, New York parents allowed those things. I have a minor correction for Blair, most parents in Westchester County, New York would be okay with the sex and the drugs as long as you were a high academic achiever, oh and that if you got pregnant you got an abortion so as not to ruin your bright future.

In Blair’s mind and in order to justify her actions she concluded that she got thrown out of her house. Over the years, the words, I’m sorry mom and dad never escaped her lips. Nor, did she seem to connect with how actions may have consequences such as being asked to leave if you can not follow house rules. Although she claims faith in Jesus Christ, she never related to the story of the Prodigal Son, especially that part where he understands he deserves to be treated like the servants. And I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants- Luke 15:19. NO, Blair thinks her parents should treat her like nothing ever happened. Treat her like royalty even. What of her rebellion against God?

Then, there is Claudio*. Claudio, his wife, and kids are visiting his mom in Westchester County, New York for a week to celebrate Thanksgiving with her. His mom, Maggie* has some major issues to discuss with him such as fears over her declining health. In the past, Claudio has not been supportive of his mom except in extreme emergencies such as when she broke her arm a few years back and needed help after her surgery. On Facebook when he recounted the event, he was somehow the one suffering.

Claudio is planning on taking his kids to see New York City sites, visit old friends and drive the family, including his mother, to Philadelphia for a big old-fashioned Portuguese-American Thanksgiving. Only problem is, with Claudio it is all about having a good time, posting those special moments on Facebook despite the interpersonal relationship problems that have long existed between him and his mom. 

He has drawn clear boundary lines such as telling his mom that he is too busy with his career and his kids to babysit her. Anyway, “you’re still young mom, you will live to be 100!” Hey, way to go Claudio, what a great way to make himself feel better about abandoning your mom! 

Another person visiting her parents for the holidays is Morgan.* Morgan’s mother is beseeching God and trying to do everything within her power to stay well this holiday season because Thanksgiving and Christmas are the last times she may see her daughter for a long time. She wants to host her daughter and not lose one precious moment with her. If she should have to quarantine, due to that pesky virus or come down with the flu that has been going around she might even miss her daughter altogether. 

It’s only one holiday season, why is she so worried about it? That is because Morgan has informed her parents of her decision to enter a cloistered monastery after the holidays. During this year long Postulancy, she will live in a closed off world in earnest among nuns who have taken a vow of silence, poverty and chastity. Morgan’s telephone time will be restricted to two times a month and visits no more than two times per year. 

What do all these stories have in common? A few things. The parents of all of the above adult children are all saved, spirit-filled Christians.  Morgan, Blair,and Claudio once went to the same Church a long time ago. Claudio began attending that Church after he attended a bible study that a group of students ran. The transition to living on campus for Claudio was not easy. Naturally shy, he failed to make friends his first year at school. He repented for sins committed, professed Jesus Christ as his Savior and went on to attend a Bible-centered Church for many years.

Although Blair sailed through elementary school with no social or academic problems, high school was another story. She was struggling in her identity. She straddled the worlds of both Christianity and Westchester County New York progressive liberal society. As you may have guessed it was one or the other. Which would Blair choose? For a while there it looked like she was close to making a decision for the Lord, and then it happened!

The youth ministry kicked her when she was down. By down I mean down. Her parents were separated, her sister had psychiatric problems and she was struggling academically and socially in high school. She had migraines too. 

The church youth ministry announced an upcoming opportunity to be in a stage show. It would require Blair to memorize a monologue and attend weekly practice sessions with the youth group. It was probably the worse time for Blair to do this event considering the huge amount of school work that she already had to do, including SAT preparation classes. She really wanted to be part of this event and spent a lot of time writing and practicing a Christian monologue for the upcoming show. 

Every week she attended the youth group practices all the way up to the night of the performance. At the last minute the youth minister said she could not participate because she was not yet baptized. Blair was devastated. It was never the same between her and Jesus. As her mother drove her home that day, she told her that what had happened was not Jesus but part of the sin nature of humanity. But, can you blame Blair, she expected the church to represent Jesus?

As far as what represents Jesus, Morgan began to feel that instead of the risen Lord and the salvation status that this entailed, that she wanted to instead focus on the passion and death of Jesus. Maybe, even relive it daily. Where did she ever get such an icky idea? The cloistered nunnery of course. When I checked out their webpage and facebook page it shocked me. The morbid fascination with Jesus’ death instead of his glorious overcoming of death and sin seemed wrong to me. The website also seemed to contain a lot of drippy, teenage crush type talk about Jesus. 

How did Morgan get to this point? Her Father is an amazingly gifted teacher of the Bible. I know he taught her better than to believe that she can be a co-redemptive along with Jesus. The convents website made it quite clear that nuns could come alongside Mary and Jesus and gave undue importance to the nuns role in the redemptive process placing itself in direct opposition to what the Bible says. 

Did she desire to have what her father had? Did she covet his position in the church? Did she have the mistaken notion that somehow her father was Jesus Junior? I tend to think that was part of it. I also believe that she might be agoraphobic. Fear of being out in public and social anxiety appear to be another part of her attraction to a lifestyle that would mean that she would spend major parts of her day in total silence and have big restrictions on relationships outside of her cloistered convent. 

All three of the above Thanksgiving Day guests profess Christianity. All three of them went from a Jesus alone, Bible alone, salvation by faith church to churches that are more social justice seeking rather than biblical justice seeking. The Bible verse that comes to mind immediately when I think about where they are now has to be 2 Timothy 3:5 which states: Having a form of godliness, but denying the power therof: from such turn away! Blair, Claudio and Morgan all talked turkey and Jesus during this past holiday gathering but something was missing.They talked about all the volunteer work, and prayer that they do to make the world a better place. 

All three of them seem to be living with continuing ungodly behavior. The type of continuing in sin that marks a person as not a follower of Jesus. We need to honor our parents for example. The love Claudio, Blair and Morgan profess to have for their parents is undermined by the insensitive things that they constantly say and do. Maggie deals with loneliness and health problems, Claudio never seems to understand that his mother needs help but he always has times for others. Parents are part of God’s hierarchical structure for our lives and when you see a large-scale insensitivity to that, it means rebellion against God’s order. That is serious. It portents end time settings that are described in the Bible. Blair is a social justice warrior who couldn’t get past the entrée before bringing up racism, sustainability and her hatred of the status quo all while singing hymns to God and saying that some people have said she is a saint. People who don’t agree with her are toxic or have bad energy.

All three of these adult children are ferociously focused on bringing justice, coming alongside Jesus’ in praying and working for lost souls. None of them seem to be enamored with the Old Testament though. That is another clue into what’s going on with them. Let’s Talk Turkey. The New Testament is the completion of the Old Testament and together they make up everything that God wants us to know. The Old Testament is the foundation for the New Testament. It is like having a house without a foundation. It was the only scripture that Jesus read and it was good enough for him and he honored it as he went on to bring out the fuller meaning of it. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them-Matthew 5:17.

Claudio outright thought it best if his mother did not bring up the topic of the Old Testament in front of his  children. Wow. What about the covenants between God and man established there or promises made in the Old Testament that are only fulfilled in the New Testament. I liked reading the end of the book in high school when I didn’t have time to read all my assignments but, let’s face it, Shakespeare halfway is no way. Blair has made God into anything she wants him to be and he is hardly recognizable when she mixes him in with the laws of attraction and other such nonsense. Morgan’s parents Thanksgiving holiday consisted of crying their eyes out and trying to help her sell her condominium and sell all her possessions before entering the convent. She even has to get rid of her 401(K). I can’t believe the Catholic Church would ask her to do that. 

Let’s Talk Turkey: Is there any hope for this next generation? For the first time in my life, I am not sure. After all the Bible says people will fall away, so why am I surprised that Blair, Claudio and Morgan have fallen away from where they once were with Jesus? Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death-Mark13:12.

Are those times here? We live in a cancel culture where you can be denounced when you do not go along with the popular theories of the time. Though things seem bad lately, I pray for individuals such as Blair, Claudio and Morgan to change the direction of their lives. I pray that they repent, place their faith in the Jesus of the Bible and be heirs to his eternal legacy. 

* The stories are all too true so, the names have been changed for privacy. Please note that there would be an accent over the A in Claudio only this keyboard doesn’t do it.