Focal passage: Luke 2:1-14
I recently read an article titled, “Dabo Sweeny to Clemson fans: ‘12-0 ain’t good enough? Then it’s time for me to seek other places.’” Sweeny is the head football coach at Clemson University, and over the years, under his leadership, Clemson has become one of the best teams in college football.
In fact, this season, they beat their state revival, The University of South Carolina for the fifth year in a row. What makes the article so interesting is that after the South Carolina game, evidently, word got back to Sweeney that some Clemson fans were upset because Clemson didn’t beat them more badly.
Although Clemson did not play their best football that game, they still won and are undefeated.
The problem is that some of the Clemson fans have become too familiar with always winning, and they failed to recognize the magnitude of what Sweeney and Clemson football organization have accomplished. Thus, the frustration Sweeney had toward those who were taking him and the coaching staff for granted.
Sweeney’s experience reminds me of the danger that could happen to any believer during Christmas time.
Every year we have the privilege of celebrating the birth of Christ. Many of us will decorate the Christmas tree, plan for family visits, attend church services, open gifts, and hopefully, read the Christmas story. The danger occurs when we become so familiar with the routine of Christmas we lose sight of what God accomplished in the birth of Christ and the reason Jesus came to be with us.
To use a football analogy, Luke 2:1-14 is like winning the College National Championships – except there is really no comparison. In other words, nothing can compare to what God did for us in sending Jesus to earth that we could be forgiven of our sin and have eternal life. Unfortunately, there will be some Christians this season that will treat God like a few of the disgruntled fans at Clemson. They will complain that the greatest events in human history – namely, the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ – is not enough to make them happy. How about you?