But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31
In August, I was driving to speak at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lansing, Michigan.
That was when I heard a boom, boom, boom! No, that boom, boom, boom wasn't the car; at least it wasn't my car.
It was the stereo of a car passing me. The sound I was hearing was the bass of his vehicle's sound system turned up, I suppose, to the max.
Did I mention I was traveling at 65 miles per hour? Did I tell you the windows on my car were closed? Did I tell you it was so loud Pam and I couldn't carry on our conversation? Even with all those factors, his music was overpowering.
In short, that car's stereo was loud!
Now, this devotion could take that illustration and go a great many directions -- directions that many of you might guess.
Instead, I'd like to apply it to Christmas. This year, like every year, I've noticed the world making a great deal of noise about the true purpose of the holiday. Boom! Boom! Boom! "Buy this! Do that! Drink this! Eat that!" Their celebrating is loud; it is distracting, and for them it is nothing more than a vacation day, a change from the ordinary.
But for Christians, the holy-day remembrance of the Savior's coming to offer Himself as a trade to win our salvation is concentrated on hearing the Gospel story of Luke, and it centers on seeing the Savior.
Yes, the world may make a lot of noise, and their holiday may be deafening and distracting. Even so, I prefer to see Him who has come to be my Ransom and Redemption.
I prefer to listen to the story of Jesus who was born so I, and all who believe, would never die.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, let me see past the world's tinsel and trappings and see Your humble arrival in this world. Let me listen to Your story of good news and great joy. May Your message drown out the boom, boom, boom of the world. In Your Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 84, 90 Revelation 9
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