At the Risk of Offending
by Jeanne Rogers

“So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:8)

Many American communities kick off their Christmas festivities this week. In recent years, more organizers of public holiday celebrations have chosen to eliminate the spiritual aspect of the season. However, a small tourist town in Texas stubbornly resists that trend.

For the 2005 Christmas celebration, the business owners, civic groups, ministerial alliance and individuals of Granbury, Texas, chose “Jesus is the Reason for Hope” as the theme for their Christmas parade.

On the Saturday following Thanksgiving, tourists and local residents crowded the sidewalks as the Granbury Christmas Parade traveled around the beautifully decorated courthouse square and continued through the scenic, small-town streets. Each float offered a message of truth, that people can find hope in the life of Jesus Christ.

It is encouraging these days when a community risks offense to herald the truth about Christmas, but Granbury’s bold message moved beyond the account of Jesus’ birth or His 33 years of walking the earth in a physical body. They offered a supernatural gift of truth -- the one gift that can bring a person’s soul into union with God.

Jesus told us, “I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but He sent me.” (John 8:42) “The words I say to you are not just my own. But my Father who lives in me does His work through me.” (John 14:10) “I am the bread of Life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst.” (John 6:35) And, “This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one He has sent. “(John 6:29)

Some people will take offense at holiday festivities with spiritual themes. Old and New Testament scriptures made it clear that Jesus would be a “stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.”

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be dedicated to God, an old man named Simeon prophesied that their son was the Messiah. He said that people would either joyfully accept Him or totally reject Him.

As Simeon’s prophecy was being spoken, an 84-year-old prophetess named Anna rejoiced and praised God for the child. The Bible says Anna went out of the temple announcing that the promised King, the Messiah had come. (Luke 2:25-38)

It has been said, “If what we believe does not reflect truth then what we feel does not reflect reality.” The celebrative emotions of the holiday season confront us with the urgency of examining what we believe about Christ. Simeon’s prophecy continues to present the reality of choice to a world that increasingly ignores the season’s spiritual origin. Is Christ a stone of offense or our greatest joy?

Those who will not believe that Jesus is the Son of God are offended when He is glorified in Christmas parades, musical pageants, and other celebrations, but that does not change the truth of who He is and what people can find in Him.

Let your heart and mind resound with the truth Jesus spoke, “This is what God wants you to do; believe in the one He has sent.” (John 6: 29)

This Christmas season, live in the assurance that Jesus is your greatest joy and help others encounter the hope and joy that you have found.

This Week
Look for opportunities to boldly, yet lovingly, share the gift hope in Christ—even at the risk of offending.

Prayer
“Father, I thank you for giving us life through your son, Jesus. He is not a rock of offense to me. He is my joy, and I will share what I believe with people who are searching for hope.”

• More from Life Outreach International