I watched the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree this week. It's always heartwarming to watch those lights come on in the middle of the city where I spent so much ministry time.
And there was some good news coming from that big Christmas tree. Sure, we had the obligatory "bubble gum" songs about Santa and snow and toys. But I was impressed with the fact that Jesus was there, too. In beautiful presentations of "Silent Night" and "Away in a Manger" and "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen." There actually were a few relatively holy moments in the midst of the New York glitz.
It was a reminder to me of how special this season is. The Savior who is largely ignored and marginalized the rest of the year is suddenly - and inescapably - on the radar come December. Sure, there's a glut of commercialism. But there's more Christ than at any other time.
And that provides for every Jesus-lover an unparalleled opportunity to move people we love to Jesus. To help them be in heaven with us. If any season comes under the Biblical heading of "making the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:16), the Christmas season does.
It's a good time to remember what God was saying when His angel told Joseph to "give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:18). Jesus means "God rescues." Christmas means that God has come from heaven as the Rescuer from the hell and bondage of our sin. And there's no better time than Christmas to join Jesus in the rescue mission for which He came. We can pray for, look for and plan for opportunities to introduce Him to Christmas-opened hearts.
The problem is that we are so robotically busy from now until Christmas that this season of rescue comes and goes without our trying to rescue anybody. I can already feel myself being carried away by the inertia of just doing Christmas, American style. The rescuing won't happen if I don't make it a non-negotiable of my plans for the next three weeks.
"We must work while it is day, for the night is coming" (John 9:4). That means making a promise to God that we will be intentional about bringing Jesus into the lives of our lost friends and neighbors and loved ones. By praying for them by name every day this season. By asking God to open natural opportunities for us to talk about our relationship with Jesus. By planning to take them to dinner and then to a special Christmas event where the Gospel will be presented - and talking together about it afterward. By including your personal Hope Story with your Christmas card. Or in all kinds of ways God will open up in answer to our prayer.
After all, this is His birthday. And there's no gift He wants more than the heart of someone He died for. Someone you know who doesn't know your Jesus. And there's no better time.