Jesus told us something the world still hasn’t figured out (ok, a lot of “somethings”): what we know as the Church isn’t. The Church is made up of those who belong to Jesus. But what we see as the Church is made up of those who belong to Jesus AND those who say they do, but don’t. Jesus said those who belong to him are the sheep, the rest are the goats, and only he knows who is who.
What’s that got to do with Christmas?
I suspect sheep and goats celebrate the Lord’s birth in different ways. Sheep realize we are celebrating Jesus and his birthday. It’s not about the world, and it’s not about us. It’s about him. After all, it’s his birthday.
So sheep focus on what Jesus wants for his birthday. Truth. Honesty. Real concern for others—not just for something fleeting, but for their eternity.
Jesus wants people for his birthday—after all, that’s why he was born.
Another interesting thing about the sheep and the goats. Everything in scripture makes it clear that we get to choose—will we be sheep, or goats?
I’ll blog more about sheep and goats after the New Year, but for now, let’s celebrate Jesus’ Birthday! Maybe we can even give him us–or the part of us we have held back–for Christmas!
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