Why ‘Christmessy’ Is Apt And More Appropriate Than ‘Christmassy’!

In the midst of the confusion and chaos of covid, my daughter and son-in-law wrote and staged a play for their church titled Christmessy. The play showcased all that went wrong on that first Christmas day and the events surrounding it. The play portrayed how the birth of the One we call Savior was not perfect, in fact, ot was nothing but a true mess!

It set me thinking of the events that happened so long ago, and how appropriate it was to remember them during the pandemic crisis!

Confusion reigned right from the start – by the very way Jesus was conceived (virgin birth); by the chaos caused by the census that forced his parents to travel to Bethlehem when His mother was full term; the lack of accommodation on arrival there that made a stable his birthplace; the sudden appearance of supernatural beings that startled simple shepherds; the cryptic words of prophecy at His circumcision by those who were waiting for salvation; the arrival of the wise men from the east led by a star that stirred up the ruler of the land; the mayhem caused by Herod in his bid to kill a child who he feared would someday usurp his throne; and finally the resulting flight to Egypt.

You would think that when God sent His Son into the world as a baby, especially for a special and specific purpose, things would be in order and would go smoothly. The mission and call of God should ensure that all went well and would progress perfectly. Yet it was not so!

The play’s essence and pointed message was that God dramatically stepped into this world and invaded time to be part of a world which was not only imperfect, but also, quite messy. A very true and real picture!

The world we live in, as the world then was, is a mess. Just watch the news or read the daily paper or talk to someone. You would know that people, relationships, nations, events, nature and happenings all getting more and more topsy-turvy and muddled. There are no clear-cut guidelines or guardrails or reference points. There is tremendous chaos and confusion, with the life getting messier and messier.

Yet God chose to walk into the mess of old on that Christmas day as the Messiah, the One Who would deliver from all distress and disorder, both inward and outward. He did not come into a world of harmony and order, even though he created it to be so, but he came to bring restore order and work His creative miracle once again. He came the message of good tidings of great joy that He was giving us a second chance.

Today also, He is calling out to those who feel helplessly entangled in Cimmerian shadows to come to the light of His love and grace. Just as in the beginning when He sent light into the cosmic darkness and ruin, God sent His Son as the only true Light to dispel the Stygian blackness of sin and sickness of this world.

He, the babe born on that eventful day 2000 years ago, died on behalf of all mankind to pay the price for their freedom. He has given all the call to trust and believe in His sacrifice for sins. He stretches out His hand to all who are weary of the mess in their life or the mess they have made of their life. He is inviting each and everyone to become His child and live life under His care

He is coming back to be united with His family and be with them forever. He is coming back to bless all who follow Him with long life. He is coming back to judge the darkness for destroying the most beloved of His creation.

It is up to us to lean forward and grasp His hand to he raised from murky to stand stable on the rock. It is our choice to move from darkness to light, from bondage to freedom and from death to life everlasting.