A famous actor once attended a big function and was encouraged by the crowd to perform for them. Since the man was never one to shy away from the spotlight, he recalled an act from his impromptu repertoire, stood up and started speaking: “The Lord is my shepherd...” started the experienced performer. “I shall not want.” He continued to deliver a dramatic and moving version of the Biblical Psalm 23 and after three minutes the crowd was on its feet in applause for the man’s obvious talent. But then, after everyone calmed down, an old man who observed the performance from a quiet corner of the room, stood up. “I would also like to say something” he requested...
With a voice full of emotion he began his own version of the famous Psalm. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...” And as often happens when people are confronted with a unexpectant holy moment, confusion took place, which turned into silence, which turned into anticipation. The old man finished off and sat down, but it was clear that the audience had been touched. Many were in tears. The actor was confused and upset and decided to openly confront the old man who stole his attention. “I have years of experience and many awards, but have never managed to get such a response from an audience. How did you do it?” He asked. The old man answered: “The problem is not with your performance, for you know the Psalm “The Lord is my shepherd” well. But the difference between you and me... is that I know the Shepherd.”
This story always reminds me of Christmas time. Of the shepherd that came down to His own people and walked, worked and preached among them. Who eventually struggled up a cruel hill in Jerusalem and allowed His own creations to brutally murder him. And in spite of the fact that the gift of everlasting life and a relationship with God is freely available to all, many today still say: “No thank you, maybe later...”
Do you really know the Shepherd? Can you, like the old man in our story admit that you have a living relationship with your Creator? Is it something that influences your life, dreams, ideals and passions? Or are you one of the many who try and comfort your conscience by ‘going to church’, only to lie awake at night doubting how many of what you are taught there, you really believe?
Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners and he proved how politically uncorrect he is when He said in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” The modern man resits statements like that, it’s too condemning for his tender, free-for-all heart which embraces everything except absolute truth.
In reality, I think it’s rather wonderfull to know we don’t have to perform a thousand rituals to obtain everlasing life. There’s only one thing: Believe in and get to know the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth.
There is no better time than Christmas to give your life over to God. Surrender your greatest pain and darkest secrets to Him. Allow His glorious light to fill every room in you heart. For you see, Christmas actually has very little to do with a man in a red jumpsuit. The proverb says it best: “Jesus is the Reason for the Season!”
