Acts 4:10
“then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.”
This is not magic.
This is not some Greco-Roman deity.
This is not us calling on evil helper spirits.
This is not anything to do with us.
How does this man stand before you today?
It is because of Jesus.
Once crucified by you but now raised by God.
This is not some make believe story that the whole world celebrates.
Trimmings, lights, festivities and food, there is a reason for this.
The root of the activity of this time of the year is in the Roman celebration of Saturnalia, a week of evil and debauchery. (For those who would much rather change it to happy holidays and remove Christ from the season may have second thoughts if they knew that during Saturnalia much human sacrifice, rape and other wickedness was celebrated.)
But how does this man or this woman stand here today? The many thousands who are standing this Christmas having been healed, rescued and saved. How has that happened?
It is not because of the root of the activity but the root of the story that Christianity has chosen to celebrate at this time of the year.
They are standing because of Jesus.
A virgin birth. Which some disbelieve.
A sinless life. Which some disbelieve.
A sacrificial death. Which some disbelieve.
A resurrected ascension. Which some disbelieve.
A coming King. Which some disbelieve.
But that is why they can stand. That is why I am standing.
So turn on the lights, hang the decorations, put out the food and let us celebrate as we announce, “This man (or woman) stands before you today because of Jesus who man has always tried to get rid of but who has always failed!”
Missions Paul 