A team of our LAC family members has been invited to Thailand at the beginning of Advent Season to sing Christmas music and tell the story of the season. This invitation has come specifically because many people in Thailand love the Christmas Season as we celebrate it in the U.S.A. The malls and public places in Thailand are filled with nativity scenes and Christmas music. If you were to go there, you would probably think it looks and sounds a lot like our own country. Trees, gifts in wrapping paper, colored lights, tinsel, and carols are everywhere. All of this is taking place even though almost 95% of the Thai population is Theravada Buddhist.

When I've asked Thai friends why Christmas is so popular in their country, I have been told that there are two main reasons. The first is that the totality of the celebration seems to be so much fun. Merchants love the economic opportunity to encourage people to give gifts. People seem to enjoy being a part of a worldwide festival.

The second reason for Christmas' popularity is that many Thai people appreciate as much of the story as they understand. As one man told me, "Who doesn't love the beautiful story of a simple family making a long trip to their hometown? The parents overcome adversity and the mother gives birth in such humility. Then, the child grows up to be an amazing man who wants everyone to experience peace and goodwill!"

I believe that many Southern CA people enjoy the Christmas Season for the same reasons. As long as Christmas is all about 1) celebrating and gift giving and 2) a nice sweet legendary story, it is just fine.

Of course, the Bible insists that what is described in its documents describing Jesus' birth is not simply a nice story. When we take off all the external wrapping and get into the real meaning of Christmas, we find that the Biblesays that God came to earth in Jesus as a part of a divine rescue mission. Jesus came not just to be an example of humility but to give his life as the only hope for fallen and mercy-needing people. Jesus insisted that he alone can forgive our sins and that, therefore, he is the only way to God. Mostly, the Bible declares that the Christmas story is not simply a nice legendary tale. No; according to eyewitnesses and the biblical writers, the things described really happened! Take a look at what Luke said about his account:

We are going to be looking at what Luke said about Jesus' coming throughout Advent 2010 at LAC. We will seek to get through all the external wrapping paper of the Season and look at the claims Scripture makes. We will discover that the Bible says that God's coming to earth really happened—and that it matters that it happened. Because the story is true, we can sing, "God and sinners reconciled. Joyful all ye nations rise. Glory to the newborn king."

To His glory,

Dr. Greg Waybright
Senior Pastor

"UNWRAPPING THE TRUE STORY OF CHRISTMAS"
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