Preposterous!

Words are collectable. One of the words I could never part with, but am eager to share is, “preposterous.” I keep it in a special mental, thought-lined, compartment in my lexicon. I share it with you today. Come, examine, enjoy and use it on this rare occasion.

Retailers present Christmas as if they were history’s screen writers, orchestrating every action (a.k.a. purchase) and designing segues from “Black Friday” to “Cyber Monday,” including an annual countdown of shopping days to Christmas. That’s preposterous, absurd! Some of the season’s images are similarly foolish ... elves, reindeer, sleighs, and snowmen. I am amused when church deacons can be pressured (usually by the pastor’s wife) into pretending to be wise men from the East in the annual church pageant. The production may not appear as goofy if they weren’t costumed in bath robes (gifts from last year’s observances). Sorry, I just think it is preposterous, zany, but, forgivable!

But careless or second rate observances are not limited to merchants or amateur drama productions. Contemporary disciples of Jesus often present the salvation story as if it began in Matthew’s Gospel. For me, one of the highlights of the whole season is when a well-written Christmas Eve Candlelight Service or Advent sermon includes Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” God declared his intention and plan to save at the moment sin became part of the story. Every time I read that verse or am prompted by the Spirit to muse on it or, to quote it, I want to jump up and high five someone, embrace a brother in the faith, or send praises toward heaven! To think that salvation begins in Matthew is, well, preposterous! God uses language like, “from the foundation of the world,” concerning salvation. Never an afterthought, salvation is in the heart of our Eternal God.

Citing the prophets of the Older Testament, eight times Matthew uses the phrase, “that it may be fulfilled.” The Gospel Story has been unfolding for eons. Today’s followers of Jesus have a lineage dating back to Eden. The promise that the serpent’s head would be crushed has been completed! That’s the Good News! It all took a long, long time to be realized, but now it is the Truth that sets people free.

I thought that I could stop, but must add this last word. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near!” (Philippians 4:4,5) That’s among the greatest Nativity Season activities! The fulfillment of the prophet’s promises took centuries, but it has happened. The promise of Jesus’ second coming will also be completed! Living with too much concern about today uncovers our lack of confidence that “the Lord is near!” Living otherwise is “preposterous!” Foolish!