Bling Bling

Oh, to be recognized!

There has to be a shortage of precious metals in the world for all the awards that are going around. From The People's Choice Awards to the CMA Awards, to the Emmy, the Tony and the Oscars, and even that Ballroom Trophy for the 'star' dancers on 'Dancing with the Stars'...there is some serious celebrating going on for the amazing feats of celebrity excellence in music, songwriting, acting, dancing, directing, producing, animating...and the list goes on and on and on and on and....

Some folk are so intriguing that in the blur of the digital flash, they walk a Red Carpet, (well, actually they stop and pose just a tad along the Trail of Honor) protected by their entourage, escorted by the infamous and drooled over by those on the other side of the restraining ropes. These people are among the undisputed beautiful, stunning, glamorous, talented, and envied. They turn heads by their mere presence. These are just the celebs, too! Add to that the athlete, the politician among the adored and you can well see the impact of center stage upon those on it and those desiring it.

Before you think me to be biting sour grapes, I have to admit that I can get a bit silly at the 'K' during a Royals game. You can get on the gi-normous Jumbo Tron that way! I am still waiting for that "Kiss Cam" thing to point my way so that I can plant a big one on the wife for the other 240 folk at the ballpark to see and celebrate. That day (when it comes) will live in infamy as far as I am concerned!

"They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted at the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets." Luke 20:46

You might be interested in who Jesus speaks these words to. They are the most 'religious' sort on the planet. They oozed importance and spirituality, yet they reeked of shallow piety, insincerity and outright hypocrisy. They quoted Scripture, explained it to the letter and would even let out some intercessory 'bling' on the public stage of self-absorbed prayer for the needy. It was a 'righteous' sort of snobbery, the kind of which they themselves were absolutely blind to as they proudly advanced the agenda of the Almighty among the serfs.

Post Christmas reflection is a good annual practice for the 'spiritual' and the nonspiritual.

Rather than the Christ of Christmas being the center of our celebrations, this is the season that if we are not careful, could easily center around advancing our lifestyles...robed in self-righteousness or in the latest fashions from Macy's, The Buckle or Express, that in truth accentuate self. The sentimentality of being 'home for Christmas' can actually mar the true reason for the season. Nothing wrong with Frosty, Rudolph, and Santa, (please don't take me as the Grinch), but Christmas without Christ is really not Christmas...or is it?

When Jesus arrived as the Promised Messiah, no red carpet, national text message, Internet news alert, or really much fuss. A homeless family with no place but a barn to deliver the Christ found themselves surrounded not by anxiously waiting family or municipal officials, just cows and donkeys. Only the scent of putrid stable animals greeted the King of kings and Lord of lords. Nothing posh in the least. No extravagance to mention. Really, a dangerous, unsanitary, mice infested stable...a feeding trough for a cradle...this was the designated place for Messiah to be born into the world. Seems so much less than we would tolerate for ourselves come to think of it.

So, when you think about God, Christ and Christmas...you have to be impressed that He would choose backstage rather than center stage.

Center stage happened at the Cross. No bling there, either...just His blood...'the precious blood of Christ', (1 Peter 1:19).

He is worthy of our utmost attention...the trail He walked was stained in red as well.