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Lessons From Desert Man
The Small Church #7
Don't Swallow the Christmas Camel
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It's hard for me to imagine Jesus, with His scraggly
band of 12 itinerant preachers, traveling with the
full circus of today's traditional church experience.
They had no ox-drawn carts filled with bleachers for
the living Christmas tree, guy wires for the flying
angels, or a manger equipped with a 40-watt light
bulb. I would imagine that the Lord's birthday even
passed unnoticed to the live camels.
These wonderful accouterments do make up a part of
our religious celebration during the Christmas season,
and have been a source of inspiration and awe for
many people. Yes, and individuals have been saved
during Nativity performances, which include flying
angels, and live camels. But, if this were the biblical
standard for congregational practice during the Advent
season, the small church would fall far short.
We can't afford to hire live camels, nor dare we let
them poop on the floors of our rented facilities.
Despite our inability to keep up with the mega-church,
there is no need for the people of the small church
to feel insignificant during the holiday hoopla. No,
we may not be able to put on the big productions we
see advertised each Christmas, but we can do something
which has eternal value.
The wounded people of this corrupt, and broken world
don't need a hundred-voice choir to salve their open
sores. They need those things, which we all cry for
during the holidays: A sense of belonging to a caring
family, a word of hope toward a foggy future, and
a patient ear of understanding.
The small church can offer these things.
The unprofessional voices of the small children still
soften the heart of the gruffest spectator. An intimate
communion still offers peace to the yearning heart.
The message of Christ's birth yet instills hope in
sin-bound humanity.
The small church can offer these things also.
Beloved leaders of the small church, don't allow the
trappings of larger budgeted churches make you, or
your members feel insignificant, or cause you to debit
your future. Do those things for which the small church
is best suited - be yourself, and love people into
the Kingdom of God during the Christmas season. Don't
run out and buy the bleachers, and for goodness' sake,
don't swallow the Christmas camel.
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