I was driving around in my car this afternoon running little errands and of course, 'tis the season, I have a Christmas CD playing. Being a lover of all things Christmas, it was an eccletic mix of both children's songs, instrumentals, spirituals & downright funny Christmas tunes.
Just before I got home "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" started playing (sung by Grover from Sesame Street no less) and as I listened to it, I started to chuckle. It seems we spend more time warning ourselves and our children to prepare for Santa's coming than we do for Jesus' coming.
Truly, if you listen to the words, you could easily replace every 'Santa Claus' with the words 'Jesus Christ' and it would make a much better song...
You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout I'm telling you why
Jesus Christ is comin' back to town
He's made His list, no need to check it twice
He already knows who's naughty & nice
Jesus Christ is comin' back to town
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for HEAVEN's sake
ohhhhhh
You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout I'm telling you why
Jesus Christ is comin' back to town
You better not pout I'm telling you why
Jesus Christ is comin' back to town
Now, I know the words seem somewhat humourous when changed like that but recently, my husband & I and a group of friends, have spent some time talking about the second coming, thinking about what Heaven will be like and wondering how much longer we have till He comes and how we can reach more people before then. After all this talking, thinking & wondering, we know its time we did some DOING. The fields are ripe! The people are ready.
With reality TV to numb the reality of what's going on in our world today, there are less & less people aware of the signs pointing to the second coming. Less concerned about what is going on in the world that is fulfilling prophecies of old. Apathetic to the point that they don't care, they just trust that they are ready. Being personally ready is a great thing, but that's not our calling. We aren't called to be saved and then sit & wait, attend church on Sundays, say grace for our meals and throw a couple bucks in the Salvation Army kettles...we are called to GO! To your neighbours house, your local shelter, your family & friends, another country, another continent, where ever you see someone needing Jesus. We need to make sure they are just as ready as we are!
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" Matthew 28:19
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15
"I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again." John 14:3
"Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is." Mark 13:33
...wars and rumours of wars
... nation against nation
...earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights
"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28
Awesome post, Becky
ReplyDeleteI missed you
Good adaptation of the song. If I had a Sundayschool class i would have taught them the words.
ReplyDeleteHave you read any articles etc., on the "emerging church?". I'm pretty sure I align with the "emerging church" theology in general...but some of it sounds as though they are backing off from "preaching the gospel" because of how it has been forced on people (in the wrong ways) throughout history.
ReplyDeleteThey feel that "loving your neighbor as your self" will shine the light of Jesus. And I believe it will. But there is the other command of Jesus..."Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind." How will people learn to love God--if they don't know who God is or what he has done for them?
Please excuse this tangent.
All this to say...I agree with your post. We must open our mouths and speak...(as the spirit leads)
Becky,
ReplyDeleteYes life can be so difficult at times. I guess I have just been in a bit of a funk lately. Love your post.
God help us if we do not do our part in the time of harvest.
ReplyDeleteI pray that I do what is required of me and that not one lost soul will be able to direct their loss at me or my lack of action.
Holy God make me holy!
Merciful God give me a merciful heart!
Lover of souls help me love them too!
I want to be more like You!
"He's made His list, no need to check it twice; He already knows who's naughty & nice"
ReplyDeleteThat's a frightening adaptation. And if there is no need to check the list, why bother with evangelism? Or perhaps you're a Calvinist? The message may get lost in translation, especially to those who aren't moved by emotionalism. Emotion is not required to believe in the gospel, but should be a reasonable expectation as someone grows in faith. So many people are left behind when that fact is forgotten.
Listen - like Sharon, I'm not trying to cause trouble for the point of causing trouble. I too, am a believer in the gospel and I stand along with your overall message. It behooves everyone to be open civil (read=respectful) discourse. This is especially true for Christians, who need to be prepared not just with their 'testimony' but with a slow response, compassionate patience and reason for their faith. And that's reason defined as a factually based 'argument', just like Paul argued in the temples back in the day, not to be confused with reason as in 'experiential explanation', which is what our testimony is.
I assume most reading this will think I should 'mind my own business' and get off your blog if I don't like what you are saying. But to move on would be hypocritical of all I've said and I can't be silent just because I fear verbal attacks. I am genuinely grateful that you speak about your faith openly and candidly and I believe in my heart everything I say is without spite or malice. If it was, I would have posted anonymously. (not that I wasn't tempted - i certainly have insecurities! =))
God Bless you for your faith and blessings to your loved ones, too. <>< =)