The Cost of Christmas

Below is the transcript of the Christmas Eve message I brought at FBCH.

What is the cost of Christmas? That cost varies depending on who you ask. For example, to the US economy, the cost of Christmas is $435 billion dollars, because this is what Americans are expected to put into the economy this Christmas season. For Christmas tree growers, the cost of Christmas is $506 million, because that is what they hope we will have spent on Christmas trees. To the average American, the cost of Christmas is $859 dollars, because this is the amount that the average American will spend on Christmas presents. If we could ask your scale at home, what is the cost of Christmas, it would answer about seven pounds, because this is how much weight the average American will gain. There is even an organization that determines the price of the 12 days of Christmas. The PNC Financial Services Group calculates the total price of all of the items included in that well known song as a means of measuring inflation. This year, you would start with the cost to book various musicians and stage performers like twelve percussionists, eleven pipers, ten lords a’ leaping, and nine female dancers. Then you would add in the minimum wage of eight milking maids (not including the price of the actual cows). Then you would add the actual purchase price of seven swans (pool not included), six geese, five golden rings (carats not specified), four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, 1 partridge and 1 pear tree, you final tab would be $19,507.

But I want to propose to you that the cost of Christmas, the real cost of Christmas, is much, much more. In fact, if you want to know how much Christmas costs, you must go back to the very first Christmas and read from the Word of God.

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:1-7

If you think Christmas is expensive now, that doesn’t compare to the very first Christmas.

Interestingly enough, the Christmas story in Luke’s gospel begins with an expensive tax. Ceasar Augustus, the ruler of the Roman Empire, issued a decree that a census be taken. Everyone had to return to the city of their heritage. We know from history that this was the first census of its kind ever taken. The purpose was to tax the people in order to fund the expansion of the ever growing Roman Empire.

Swept up in this census were Joseph and Mary, and it could not have come at a worse time. Christmas cost them a long and hard journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of Joseph’s ancestors. Mary being with child, it’s not likely that they were able to travel more than ten miles per day, if that. The easiest parts of the journey were hilly and the hardest parts of the journey were mountainous. Being poor, their diet was likely bread and water and their transportation a donkey. The temperatures were likely freezing at night and possibly during the day. Christmas was very costly.

But the cost did not end there. For Mary, Christmas cost her her reputation. There is an interesting scene in the nativity Story in which Mary has a nightmare in which she is being stoned. As an unwed mother, she ran the risk of being rejected by Joseph and stoned religious zealots. No doubt, Mary endured countless judgmental glances. She was the object of scorn and ridicule and gossip.

Joseph paid a dear price that first Christmas. Joseph was forced to abandon whatever plans he had as a carpenter in exchange for life as an exile in Egypt. When he eventually returned, they had not forgotten about the rumors he’d left behind. Joseph was probably shunned by those with whom he did business. Joseph probably lost whatever standing he had within the community. We don’t know for sure, but it is very possible that Joseph lost any access he had to the synagogue. Joseph was insulted. He was looked upon as less than a man, when in reality he was a man’s man. The birth of Jesus represented a black eye that Joseph would wear for the rest of his life.

Of course, Christmas was costly for the baby that was born, Jesus. Could we even put a price upon the throne he left behind or the chorus of angels whose voice could no longer be heard? Could we put a price upon the glory that no longer shone?

If you want to know the cost of Christmas, ask yourself what it would be worth to you for your child to be born in a cold, exposed barn some winter night, surrounded by noisy cattle and the smell of dung and urine. What would it be worth to endure the humiliation of being stuck with an animal stall for the birthplace of your child? Is there even a price that someone could pay for you to agree to your child being born under these conditions?

The cost of Christmas, for Jesus, did not end the day he was born. The cost of Christmas followed him all the days of his life. The Bible tells us that in John 1, Jesus was referred to as the Son of Joseph. We know that Joseph had no part in the conception of Jesus, but this simply shows us that 30 years after Jesus was born, it was still assumed that Joseph was biological father. Three years later, we read in John 8 that the Pharisees, arguing with Jesus said, “WE are not illegitimate children.” You understand the insinuation, don’t you? What they are saying is “YOU ARE.” It was an insult, one that Jesus had heard way too many times before.

Do you understand that Jesus lived his entire earthly life followed by the rumor that he was an illegitimate child? He was mocked for this.

But the real cost of Christmas cannot be calculated until you reach the cross. You see, you cannot separate the birth of Jesus from the death of Jesus.

Never is this more evident that when you look at the name of the city in which Jesus was born. Bethlehem. In the known world at that time, there were three known continents, Europe, Asia and Africa, and God chose Asia. In Asia, there were many countries, but God chose Palestine. In Palestine, there were three regions, Judea, Samaria and Galilee, and God chose Judea. In Judea, there were many towns and villages, but God chose Bethlehem. God chose Bethlehem for two reasons. First, eight and a half centuries prior, God declared through the prophet Micah that Bethlehem would be the city of the Savior’s birth. Micah 5:2 says, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." With God, a prophesy is not a guess about what might happen, it is a declaration of what will happen.

But there is another reason why Bethlehem was chosen and the very name reveals it. Did you notice that Micah referred to the town not just as Bethlehem, but as Bethlehem Ephrathah? This is very significant. Bethlehem meant “House of Bread.” You see, the baby who would be born in Bethlehem would one day claim to be the bread of life. Jesus said in John 6:51, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

But notice the second part of the name. Bethlehem Ephrathah. You see, Ephrathah comes from the Hebrew, meaning wine. This same Jesus would said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” At the last supper he said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”

The bread, Jesus said, is a picture of his flesh which would be nailed to the cross for our sins. Wine represents his blood, which would be poured out. Bethlehem. Ephrathah. Bread. Wine. Body. Blood. God ordained that the very name of the town in which Jesus was born would point us to the cross.

Someone wrote a poem once that goes like this…

There was no room in Bethlehem, for him who left his throne.
To seek the lost at countless cost and make their griefs his own.
But there was room on Calvary, upon the cross of shame.
For Him to die, uplifted high, and bear the sinner’s blame.
There was no room in Bethlehem and in the world today
Men will not give him to live but bid him turn away.
But there is room at Calvary and there he stands to give
Welcome to all who heed his call and look to Him to live.
There was no room in Bethlehem for Christ, the prince of heaven.
Come down to earth in human birth that men might be forgiven.
But there is room at Calvary for sinners to abide.
And all who come may find a home in Jesus crucified.

That is the true cost of Christmas.

Another Sign that America Needs Revival

"Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised." Isaiah 10:1-4

Today, 17 year old Nataline Sarkisyan is dead. She was scheduled to receive a liver transplant. This was approved by her insurance company, Cigna. However, she got a lung infection and Cigna suddenly decided that it was "too experimental." The doctors were willing to perform the surgery and urged the insurance company to approve it. They did not, however, perform the surgery without payment. As a result, time ran out and Sarkisyan died.

The way I see it, you have an insurance company ignoring the doctors and allowing a teenager to die rather than pay for life saving surgery. On the other hand, you have doctors waiting on the promise of payment, thus allowing a teenager to die. This situation has Isaiah chapter ten written all over it. Whatever your views on the health care system in America, we should all agree that this story is the definition of injustice. And if I'm reading my Bible correctly, America cannot expect to continue receiving God's blessings while turning its back upon what Jesus called "the least of these." The God who judged Israel for allowing this same kind of activity will not hesitate to judge us. Political solutions will not solve it. We need revival.

Interpretive Dance, FBCH Style

The staff of First Baptist Church of Homestead has worked hard on what will be our very first attempt at interpretive dance, this Sunday, December 23 at the 8:30 and 11:00 AM services. To see a clip from our most recent practice and get a taste for what's in store, CLICK HERE.

Merry Christmas from Mike

I'm trying to think if I've ever seen a presidential election in which there was a candidate who refused to throw mud. Is Mike Huckabee the first or can you think of others? One thing's for sure: We're going to find out, once and for all, if Americans really want to see clean campaigning. How will Americans respond when a major candidate is slandered and smeared and refuses to respond in kind? I know I'm still (kinda) young, but I've never seen anyone even attempt this kind of campaign. And how's this for a change of pace election ad the week of Christmas?

Hazardous to Your Health

Missionary work can be hazardous to your health. The International Missions Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has 500 missionaries serving in the region of Central, Eastern and Southern Africa. Last year, just those missionaries, together with members of their families:

* Spent 395 days in the hospital.
* Visited the emergency room 34 times.
* Needed five medevac flights.
* Made 669 visits to doctors.
* Made 325 visits to dentists.
* Made 211 visits to pediatricians.
* Made 128 visits to OB-GYNs.
* Made 98 visits to optometrists.
* Made 90 visits dermatologists.
* Made 11 visits to oncologists.
* Required lab work 524 times.
* Required radiologic exams 426 times.
* Underwent 96 cardiac procedures.
* Underwent 72 surgeries.
* Underwent 67 mammograms.
* Underwent 50 colonoscopies/gastroscopies.

This is why we give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. This is why we give to the cooperative program. This is why we should sacrifice to give the largest offering ever this year. The missionaries who are called and sent accept tremendous risks to their well being. It's our job to support them.

Let's Get Ready to Rumble

It's official. There will be an amendment protecting traditional marriage on the November 2008 ballot.

Here's the wording: "Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."

I'll blog more in the upcoming year as to why such a definition should be codified into law. Until then, expect opponents to use baseless scare tactics like those used in Arizona last year, namely that an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman will somehow cause seniors to lose benefits. Yeah, and Huckabee is considering me as his running mate.

It's Official

Brenda and Jesse have endorsed Mike Huckabee for president. I cannot confirm nor deny that they were bribed with cookies before making this endorsement.

Do the Hustle

Man, this is so funny. No, this isn't me.

glumbert - (How to) Do the Hustle

The Golden Compass: How should Christians respond?

HERE is an informative article about the new movie "The Golden Compass" by Al Mohler. Read this before spending your money to see this movie.

The Danger of Self-Promotion

Here is the link to the first message in a new series called "After God's Own Heart" from the book of 2 Samuel. It is titled "The Danger of Self-Promotion." We live in a world which constantly tells us to promote ourselves. This, of course, runs counter to the call of Christ to deny self and follow him.

Don't forget to click on the "Sermon Notes" button to the left after you go to THIS LINK.

The Martyr's Oath

The Martyr's Oath is a foreign concept to American Christians, since we don't tend to die martyr's deaths. However, in other parts of the world where severe persecution is a fact of life, the Martyr's Oath is common. You'll find various versions, different but similar. Students at one Bible Institute in India must take this vow before graduation. Here is a copy of one version, shared by former Muslim and seminary president, Ergun Caner.

"Today, I stand as a dead man. I declare that in Jesus Christ, I am saved by his blood, and thus I am dead to sin, and no longer dead in my sin. Today, I stand and declare that I surrender my will and my life to His will and His life. I shall go where He sends me, without asking questions. I shall go to whomever He sends me, without seeking fame. I shall preach to everyone, even if they hate me. I am an Ambassador of the cross, and must deliver the message. I shall pour my life out to reach my family, my friends, my neighbors and my city. I embrace the shame of the cross, and I fear nothing but God. I welcome suffering, shame, persecution, beatings, imprisonment and death, but I will not be silenced. If I am killed, I pray that my blood should be a harvest for souls."

I think we'd do well to commit this oath to memory and make it a regular statement of devotion to God.