\u2018Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house…<\/p>\n
The Intramuralist won\u2019t rhyme as much this year \u2014 no, not a louse.<\/p>\n
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Allow me to share instead what Christmas is about.<\/p>\n
First, though, what it\u2019s not…<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s not about pomp or politics or public display.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not about singers or any old familiar carols play.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not about correctness.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also not about superficialness.<\/p>\n
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It has nothing to do with celebrity…<\/p>\n
No \u201cDuck Dynasty,\u201d activist groups, nor Miley Cyrus festivity.<\/p>\n
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It has little to do with self… self-focus… or an \u201call about me\u201d mentality…<\/p>\n
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Christmas instead has everything to do with a humble manger, humble birth, and a heartfelt response.<\/p>\n
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If the Messiah of the world was born in that stable some 2000 years ago \u2014 and there exist exponentially more records of that event than there exist of any<\/i> manuscript of Homer’s, Plato’s, or Aristotle’s \u2014 each a work we teach to be true \u2014 then that birth requires a response.<\/p>\n
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Will our response be to really wrestle with it?<\/p>\n
Or will we disregard and look away?<\/p>\n
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If Jesus Christ is who he says he is \u2014 and did what so many say he did \u2014 then how will we each respond?<\/p>\n
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How will we respond?<\/p>\n
How will we wrestle with the reality?<\/p>\n
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In humility… in worship… in wonder?<\/p>\n
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Great questions, friends… challenging for each of us.<\/p>\n
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From my house to yours \u2014 from my computer to yours, the Intramuralist wishes you the peace, joy, and hope that so uniquely girds this season.\u00a0 May your days be merry, your moments be bright, and may you find yourself engaging in amazing, authentic wonder.<\/p>\n
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Blessings to all… and to all, yes, a good night…<\/p>\n
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AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u2018Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house… The Intramuralist won\u2019t rhyme as much this year \u2014 no, not a louse. Allow me to share instead what Christmas is about. First, though, what it\u2019s not… It\u2019s not about pomp or politics or public display. It\u2019s not about singers or any old … <\/p>\n