Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: The Reason for the Season of Christmas (12/04/08)
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TITLE: A SEASON OUT OF CONTROL | Previous Challenge Entry
By Linda Payne
12/07/08 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
you ask, “What is the reason for the season?”
I say the season has become
unreasonable!
You love to get caught up
in the glizt and glitter,
the sweet and sentimental,
the trite and trivial;
you want to feel good,
warm and fuzzy.
I say, you have forgotten your calling.
It’s not about wisemen and shepherds,
but about how I long
to draw all nations to myself,
from all corners of the world,
the rich and poor,
the wise and ignorant,
the leaders and followers,
to gather all my children
before my throne.
It’s not about buying until you are in debt,
but giving until it hurts,
sacrificing yourself
on behalf of others,
friends and enemies alike,
offering a cup of cold water,
laying down your life,
going the extra mile,
turning the other cheek.
It’s not about stars and angels singing,
but about proclaiming
my message of hope—
Emmanuel, God is with us!
Bring good news to the poor,
announce freedom to prisoners,
speak words of love and encouragement
to those lost, alone, in mourning.
It’s not about holiday trees or Christmas trees,
but about how you treat others;
to those different from you,
to those who disagree with you,
to those at war with you
offer kindness and respect,
forgiveness and reconciliation.
It’s not about pageants and parties,
but about the true worship
of a transformed life,
lived in humility,
obedient and faithful,
a life of thanksgiving and praise.
It’s not about a sweet little babe in a manger,
but about a man who gave everything
to bring you life,
who offered himself as a sacrifice
for you,
who lived his life in joyful obedience to me.
Oh my children,
you have taken the symbols
and made them the reason for the season.
If the world’s economies were to collapse today,
and stockings hung limp and lifeless,
no presents or cards,
would my gift to you
be any less real,
would you have nothing left
to give to others?
If there were no longer
Christmas trees or nativities
in public places,
would you have no light
to offer a darkened world,
no message of hope
to offer a hurting world?
Oh my children,
come back to me,
remember your calling—
be the angels proclaiming good news,
be the shepherds humbly adoring,
be the wisemen seeking my face,
be the lights shining in darkness,
be the servants who carry their cross.
Oh my children,
come back to me,
remember your calling.
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