Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
My wife, Sharon, and I have been traveling for the Thanksgiving holidays. We are very happy to be spending the holidays with our family. As we were driving along I-40 between Chattanooga and Nashville, we decided to stop at Wal-Mart. After shopping for a few minutes we walked up to the check-out clerk, a young lady who sheepishly asked me, “You’re not going to get mad if I wish you ‘Happy Holidays’ instead of ‘Merry Christmas,’ are you?”
I replied with a smile, “Why would I get angry about that?”
She explained that the customer just before me “really got mad and blamed everything on Obama, because I didn’t say ‘Merry Christmas.’”
I assured her that we were ‘happy’ and I hoped that she would have a ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ and a ‘Merry Christmas’ as well.” As I walked out of the store I pondered why some people were so angry during a season of thanksgiving and celebration.
Sure, I’m aware that the secularists are waging a “war on Christmas.” But that doesn’t mean that I have to respond with anger, especially to employees of large corporations who must daily deal with hundreds of moody customers. The truth is that I encounter angry Christians all the time. In fact, anger is the most prevalent emotion I encounter among believers. Everyone is mad about something… music in the church, something said in a sermon, the political climate of our nation,… on and on.
The Apostle Paul said, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” but from my perspective it seems that most believers are spiteful, anxious, and angry. If this is the case, then there is something dreadfully wrong deep in our souls. Maybe it’s time to repent.
When Jesus was born the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14). In 1719, Isaac Watts published a wonderful hymn that has become a Christmas favorite. The first stanza declares, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!” Beethoven wrote a moving symphony to express the words “Joyful, joyful we adore Thee; God of glory, Lord of love!”
During this holiday season, I will choose to smile and sing. I will choose to bless those who insult or persecute me because of my faith (Matthew 5:10-12). I will “rejoice and be glad” because I know that through Christ and the Spirit, the Father seeks to reconcile all of sinful humanity to God’s self. I pray that I may be a joyful ambassador of Jesus Christ.
