12-26-11<\/p>\n
The two men were good friends, \u201cbrothers\u201d with the same sense of humor, who shared interests, and who could finish each other\u2019s sentences. Ed was passionate about politics, but Kenneth was totally apolitical, so disagreements on that score never arose. Kenneth was also areligious \u2013 somewhere between agnostic and intellectual hipster \u2013 so the fervent Christian Ed found a challenge in his friend. Kenneth never objected to debating or receiving tracts or casual points or heavy witnessing. But he never cared much either, one way or the other.<\/p>\n
Ed moved away from their \u201czone\u201d of neighborhood contacts and frequent lunches. Several states (geographical, not psychic) separated them. Their friendship and common profession mandated continued contact, but, as these things usually go, they spoke less frequently.<\/p>\n
After one quiet stretch, Kenneth called Ed and learned that an enormous amount of \u201clife\u201d had occurred since their last chat.<\/p>\n
Ed went down a sad checklist: his work had dried up, and money was scarce. His wife was extremely sick with multiple ailments, and there was no insurance to cover the situations. Ed\u2019s mother was dying in far-off Florida, and on the way to the train station he was rear-ended at a red light, and his only car was totaled. \u201cThose are just the highlights,\u201d Ed joked in their typical fashion. \u201cIt gets pretty grim after that. But we\u2019re OK now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow are you OK?\u201d Kenneth knew that Ed was being serious here. <\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it was a series of amazing events, really,\u201d Ed said. \u201cMy wife is in pretty good shape now \u2013 the doctors were good and performed terrifically, but in a couple of instances they saw healings they couldn\u2019t explain. After the first hospitalization, a friend in church who is an insurance agent told me that my business activities, though slim, actually qualified us for a group plan. We signed up, and there was full coverage for the later surgeries, not even a \u2018cap.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Kenneth slipped into his old mode: \u201cSo, don\u2019t tell me, your mother rose from the dead.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cNo, she died, but I was able to be with her in time and share a beautiful Good-Bye. While I was gone, some friends in church whose house is so big they almost have their own Zip Code, took the kids in and drove them to school each morning. And the car? Yes, it was totaled, but our pastor lent us his van \u2013 an extra since his daughter went to college, for as long as we needed it.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod seemed to provide at every turn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kenneth was silent for a moment. When he spoke, it surprised Ed slightly. \u201cYou know, you\u2019re always saying how God provides this, and Jesus answered that. Why don\u2019t you listen to what you just said? The doctors were good, on their own. Your friend was looking for an insurance commission. It was friends who offered their house to your kids, not Jesus. And the van was a spare in the driveway. It was your FRIENDS who did these things for you, not Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now Ed was silent for a moment. \u201cNo\u2026 it was Jesus,\u201d he said. \u201cHe was just working through my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christmas is over, but the Gift remains. No, let us put it the proper way \u2013 Christmas is over, and the Gift remains! Hallelujah! A gift can be seen as neutral, by itself. Its significance derives from who gives it; the intention of the giver; the attitude of the recipient; the use to which the gift is put. Christ was God Incarnate, God with us, our means to forgiveness, salvation, eternal fellowship with God. We accept Jesus into our hearts. But what we DO with this Gift from God is the real significance. <\/p>\n
Jesus \u201cin our hearts\u201d is not to hide Him, but to make Him part of our relational DNA, an aspect of our new selves. It can happen. He shines forth, He affects our natures. We show Him, we share Him. That is the real gift \u2013 the miracle of Christmas. You don\u2019t have to hunt ancient or arcane scripture to see this happen.<\/p>\n
Just ask Ed.<\/p>\n
+ + +<\/p>\n
Joy Williams has written an anthem about what it means to be a Christian. First, to accept Him. Second, to \u201cbe\u201d Him to other people. That\u2019s not a long list. But Joy puts it so beautifully. <\/p>\n