When Christmas Brings Out the Worst in People, the Righteous Lives by Faith –Maybe Everyone Needs a Sin Tree —THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY HIS FAITH —Hope for Today Through a Study on the Book of Habakkuk —Lesson 6

 

Among other things, Christmas is typically a season known for all its hustle and bustle. Hustle and bustle-- A large amount of activity and work, usually in noisy surroundings; busy and frenetic activity and excitement. Unfortunately, most holiday hustle and bustle does not relate to any acknowledgment of the first coming of Christ in expectation of His second coming. More often, it revolves around decorations, parties, drunkenness, buying gifts and the like. Endless busy distractions from what is truly important. “The most wonderful time of the year,” “the hap-happiest season of all” often manifests what is in the heart of man more so than any other time. Tell me what song honestly details how Christmas brings out the worst in people? Can you name that tune for me? I would think the fact that Christmas is thought by most to be kicked off with something called ‘Black Friday’ should be a red flag. Black Friday stampedes, road rage, increased crime, etc. The world is filled with people who don’t even pretend to be nice during the holiday season!

Christmas looks absolutely nothing like the images we display in our homes and conjure up in our mind when we sing well-known carols. With so much to do, being forced to wait in long lines whether on foot or in the car stirs up extreme impatience on a grand scale. Waiting in line at the post office, waiting in line at the mall behind an irate customer whose glance back at me says, “Go ahead, make my day!” When I finally get to the front of the return line, the customer service ‘lady’ looks at me as if to say, “Do you want a piece of me, too? I strongly suggest you don’t go there.” The driver beside me at the red light gives a look that says, “Girl, you better stay in your lane!”

 

Where is the joy, the peace, and the goodwill toward all men? All is calm; all is bright? Not in this world. Why isn’t ‘Black’ Friday Gold or Silver Friday in honor of the festive season? Why are people driving as if they got their license from a Cracker Jack box? Stress squeezes out the sin in the sinner. I want Jesus to come out when I’m squeezed, don’t you? At this time of year, more than any other, the fruit of the spirit should be worn across our lives like a banner that flashes, ‘we are different’ because of Christ…you know, the ‘reason for the season’. We should not be surprised that Satan relishes in wreaking havoc on the world during the celebration of Christ’s advent on the earth. Truth be known; however, he doesn’t have to do all that much.

 

In the early 90’s the Lord convicted me of how I was spending my time from October pretty much through January. One day I realized that I had neglected my Bible and devotions for months during the “Holiday” season. It cannot rightly be called a “Holiday”, i.e. holy day, if God is neglected. Later, when I wrote my “Holiday” email to family and friends explaining why I would no longer be “doing Christmas” as I had traditionally done in the past, I was not expecting the fallout I received. You would have thought I murdered someone! Over the years I continued to search for balance.

 

We tried a little bit of everything. Looking back, I pray our children can see our hearts’ intent. One year while they were young, we made a “sin tree”. Before you stop reading and think me a complete whacko, I will say I don’t regret it as it stands out in my mind as a Christmas to be remembered. What is a sin tree you ask?

 

We went into the woods and cut down a crab apple tree with all its sharp points. After putting it up in our family room, we went about preparing its ornaments. I was a homeroom mother who had an extensive craft box, so we were well equipped. I asked the kids to think of any sins they were struggling with or could think of in general. We made ornaments with these in mind. For example, “Lying” was outlined in glitter galore. All the sparkly, shiny sins our fleshly hearts often adore, idolize, and crave were on that tree. On Christmas morning, before any packages were opened, we gathered as a family around that non-traditional tree. O Tannenbaum, indeed! My husband read the Christmas story explaining to the children why Christ came the first time and led them through the gospel. Dramatically, he then took a pure linen sheet that had been stained with red food coloring at one end and threw it over the tree to demonstrate Christ’s ability and desire to cover our sin. Not a typical Christmas morning, but hopefully one that made an impression that stuck with my children.

 

For years thereafter, not wishing to be offensive and in the name of pursuing peace, I continued to shop, gift, and decorate, but without as much exuberance as before. In the mid 90’s, in the midst of finding balance, I stopped to count all the gifts I had bought (and had to wrap!!!) There were almost 100! Often frantic to find the perfect gift for everyone, I was driving myself crazy and, more importantly, not honoring Christ—the ultimate perfect gift of God. This time, I made a decision that holidays would be different from that time forward. And they have been. My family told me this Thanksgiving was the best they ever had. All we did was enjoy each other’s company with grateful hearts over a holiday meal that was in no way stressful to prepare.

 

What in the world does this have to do with Habakkuk you might ask? When I read the two verses I want to focus on for this post, I noticed it had a lot to do with waiting on the Lord. We don’t do waiting well! We hurry and scurry about in this chaotic world and miss the only message able to give our soul rest to live in hopefulness by faith in what is to come. Perhaps during the holidays, we are tempted to forget what it means to abide in Christ more so than at any other time of the year.

 

Ironically, the celebration of Christ’s birth should remind us why Christ came in the first place—to save His people from their sins. He came to bring salvation to mankind. That’s the message of Christmas. At Christmas, we should be moved to focus our gaze all the more intently on our Lord, not less. The people of Israel, the nation whom God chose to reveal Himself, missed their long-expected Messiah when He came the first time. We recognize that He came the first time and understand why He came. But we are watching expectedly for His return, His second coming. Christmas should always point to the Second Coming. My husband pointed family members one Christmas Eve to this reality: Jesus is coming back either as your Lord and Savior or as your Judge. But have no doubts: He is coming back!

 

The prophet Habakkuk’s people were living in sin—neglecting the very God who had delivered them from Egypt. They had turned to idols and the worship of false gods. After years of warning by the prophets, God’s judgment was coming. It was on the horizon. When Habakkuk complained to God about the wickedness around him, God answered him by saying that He was bringing the wicked Babylonians against Judah, and no one would be able to thwart His hand. This news was appalling and perplexing to Habakkuk, yet he expressed his complete faith and trust in God. God’s answer, however, prompted more questions.  When we last left Habakkuk last time, he was standing on his guard post waiting and watching for God to answer him.

 

After looking at Chapter 1, it is safe to assume that Habakkuk’s day was not unlike our own. The prophet lived in a world filled with violence, iniquity, wickedness, and destruction. John MacArthur says that these four terms denote malicious wickedness by which one morally and ethically oppresses his neighbor, resulting in contention and strife. In a time of utter chaos, Habakkuk took time to separate himself from others and quiet his soul before God so he could wait and hear from Him.

 

Habakkuk 2:2-3—Then the LORD answered me and said, “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.”

 

Look at all the words that reference time here. Then, yet, appointed time, hastens, tarries, wait, delay. Waiting should be the Christians’ way of life. We wait upon God for short-term answers and long-term answers, the final realization of all waiting is in the fulfillment of Christ’s Second Coming and our glorification in Him. Waiting is good for us…even critical for our spiritual growth and strengthened faith.

 

Some of what would be revealed to Habakkuk would have a partial fulfillment in his day, but the revelation takes us to the very end of this age when Christ returns. Babylon would fall to the Medo-Persian kingdom, but it would be annihilated at the end of time. Habakkuk 2:3 is quoted in the New Testament in Hebrews 10:36-37—For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised, FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. John MacArthur says that “this is altered considerably so that it is more of an interpretive paraphrase drawing on other OT concepts and contexts.” As we shall see, the next section of Habakkuk speaks of the proud in this world (specifically the Babylonians) who do not live by faith. The proud don’t depend upon God nor do understand patient endurance and trust in God.

 

In essence, the ‘revelation’ given to Habakkuk is a person, not a thing. The true revelation is of the coming Messiah. The answer to all our perplexing questions and quandaries in life is Jesus Christ. Christians live in the now and not yet. We abide in Christ here and now, yet we await the greater fulfillment of all He has promised. We understand what it means to live by faith as we patiently endure all things in this world. This world, to the eyes of the believer, is not as it appears to be.

 

When we pick back up, we will see that Chapter 2 begins with the only answer that will satisfy the deepest longings of the soul. It will then go on to outline ‘woes’ against any society that spirals down to a level that will eventually bring God’s judgment. The key to living today is for us to get a glimpse of the age to come and to keep our focus there at all times. May your Christmas be filled with sweet times of fellowship with those you love, and especially with the lover of your soul.