Still Making People Uncomfortable After All These Years

Yesterday was Christmas! It was a fabulous day and a good time to be with family, and recall the wonderful gifts that we've all been given. After opening presents yesterday morning, my family and I rested and watched the Today show on NBC.

They featured some entertaining recipes, and some discussion on Saint Nicolaus and Santa Claus and the history therein... and next came a discussion of faith. Faith... on Christmas Day. They had two guests... one a Rabbi, and the other a female Presbyterian minister from Bryn Mawr. Lovely, I thought. (But let's not discuss women in ministry today-- let's safe for that another one)

So... in the discussion of Faith and it's importance on Christmas Day... the day we celebrate His birth... that fantastic gift we've all been given, would you believe that not once. Not once was His name mentioned? Not even in passing.

How can one discuss faith on that day of all days and not mention Christ? Oh, they talked about gratitude and focusing on the positive, and how people of faith are happier and more at peace... but they never mentioned Christ -- the one who is the source of all those things that they talked about... even once. It was funny... and so sad.

At one point the interviewer asked, "So what are some things that people who feel they are lacking faith can do today that they aren't doing now" and instead of saying... pray, or seek Christ... rather they were told to note 5 things that are good about each day and start having faith that life is good. This from a pastor??? This from a Rabbi???

Can we take a faith based life and sanitize it anymore? I don't think so... but it would seem, even now, after all these years that He is still making people uncomfortable. He's a rebel, and a rabble-rouser, and His message is becoming ever more urgent... but there are fewer willing to speak it and never be asked back to be on the Today show ever again.

What a travesty! What a tragedy!

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me I pray
Bless all the dear children in they tender care
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

(Last stanza ... Away in the Manger)