Some years ago, many of us, like others before and after, went through basic training or boot camp. It was a time to get thoroughly acquainted, usually with either the army or navy. It was also a time of endurance. The hardened and veteran men of years' experience sought to teach us the elementary principles of living in the military. The "old salts" in the navy used to delight in bringing us down several notches. This was their method of clearing away obstructions to the teaching they were providing. Was it fun? Not really. Did funny things happen to us? Well, yes and some were embarrassed to tears. Some could barely contain their anger.
What I remember most about my boot camp was the closeness I felt to the living God. Truth was, I didn't have anyone else that would listen in compassion to my groans of awkwardness and reluctance to give up a comfort zone. At Christmas time we were given liberty to be with our families. With little hair and a face somewhat scarred because of a straight razor, my appearance was not that of a wise and proud public school teacher. In retrospect, it was one of the best times with my family I had ever had. Their son, grandson, and brother was in training. His, and their, Savior — Jesus Christ — was present in a new way. It was as though he had been reborn among us.
Focus
We are trained in order to be useful to others.
Body
1. A negative individualism is counterproductive.
When Christ was born among us, he began early on to have apostles close to him. While they were strong individualists, not one was allowed to go it alone and be the only spokesperson for our Lord. Even Peter, who seems to be dominant in the gospels, is not allowed to tell the others what to do. And when we visit with our Catholic friends, we discover — for the most part — the holy father in Rome is held in high esteem but is not experienced as a leader who "lords" it over them. As we study Catholicism we see checks and balances in the Vatican that do away with negative individualism.
As we read the New Testament, there is the witness of the four gospels. Even the synoptic gospels show some differences among them. Then, John comes along and thrills us with both mystery and mysticism! However, when we read and study them together, what a magnificent narrative we receive. We are not disciples of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. We are disciples of the babe in Bethlehem, born to bring us the good news that is always more than a single individual, except Jesus the Christ. Our training is not allowed to become negative under a single point of view. Christ "gave himself for us that he might redeem us" and that is the most powerful idea humankind has ever heard. Praises be to the Father for sending his Son among us!
There are those who believe they have a "corner on the market" and seek to absolutize the entire religious experience by sectarian teaching and training. Witness the numerous evangelists and revivalists who have "converted" people to their way of thinking. Sometimes their narrowness only becomes apparent years later, as followers cling to disciplines more inflicted upon them than given to them. Our history is filled with examples of those who allowed their egotism and perhaps self-righteousness to get in the way of the true training of Jesus the Christ. So often it seems those who begin with purity of motivation, sooner or later, are overcome by self-importance. Not only is this negative, it is very sad. We are first of all trained to serve the Christ!
If we seek continually "to go it alone," how can we possibly witness in helpful ways? The point is not to negate personal evangelism; it is simply to point out the pitfalls of one who loses contact with others, who are just as much committed or perhaps more so. Christ persists in purifying "for himself a people of his own." Highly individualistic models of discipleship tell me the plural "people" may be considered of secondary importance. To be sure, the babe in Bethlehem calls us as individuals but we are parts of the whole and not the whole! Creativity and innovations can be wonderfully valuable gifts for Christ's holy church. They can also be ways for precious human beings to be misled in directions that produce questionable fruit.
2. A singleness of purpose leaves no doubts.
The reason for our training is to make of us people "who are jealous for good deeds." Salvation has come in the person of Mary's son and is intended to be spread among the lives we touch. We are not lethargic people. We are zealous people! Our good deeds are given birth by a right relation with God the Father through his Son, Jesus the Christ. There is excitement and love in all of this that lays before the world, acts of kindness for the spiritual benefit of everyone. No one should be confused by our lives, as we go about being empowered by the Spirit of the holy God. Nonbelievers are to view in their midst actions and even reactions by those redeemed.
There will be criticism for those of us who go about practicing our faith, usually by calling into question our motivations. This is unavoidable and to be anticipated. Nevertheless, in time, doubts will be diminished as the world sees consistency and persistency in our talk and attitudes. Then, the reality of Christ coming can be seen because there are those in flesh and blood who practice his teaching. The birth of the Savior of the world is seen as more than Christmas presents and carols for once-or-twice-each-year Christians. One of the great victories in our pilgrimages is to experience those critics who finally are willing to accept the generosity of God in our lives. The training has gone well and victorious people learn anew that the awesome everyday power of committed Christians is among us.
To win at anything requires concentration. This is certainly true with our walk with the Lord. We cannot be wandering here and there, indecisive about our gift of salvation. Not only did God's Son come to us centuries ago, he has come into our lives and is a living, vibrant presence at this very moment. We are neither to veer to the left nor to the right. We are to walk the straight and narrow pathway that eventually leads to eternity with our blessed Lord. We are in the harness, so to speak, like any race horse who strains down the track to receive the reward. Some of us know what it is to take our eyes off the prize and lose ground in the most crucial race of all. Sometimes it is devastating.
Congregations and pastors should always move forward together. Internal and external unity is decisive in our quest to show the world that Christ has — in fact — come into our lives. The truly spiritually successful bodies of believers are united and move like a mighty dynamo throughout their communities and beyond. Why? Largely because there is no question about the direction they are moving. Even those who never enter a church building have good things to say. A dysfunctional church is never a positive sight. It conveys quickly the fact that those folks are not together and cannot seem to settle on a clear purpose for being. Their deeds in the community cause confusion. If we are ever at fault for such a situation, may God be merciful! We do not want to be the cause of Christ's sorrowful tears.
3. A ministry to others under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit validates itself.
Serving others is articulated by numerous clichés. Obviously, it is part of the air we breathe. Think of the service clubs, such as Rotary and Kiwanis, who promote and practice serving others. They use the same carefully worded phrases that communicate to the faithful that it is very important to put others above yourself. Is this the work of the Holy Spirit? My own experiences and perceptions are affirming because the Spirit flows where it flows. Strange as it may sound, these clubs and those similar in nature are a training ground. Good deeds are all about! In a way, the invisible church, the one without steeples and pulpits, is hard at work.
Solid and genuine ministry, wherever it takes place, has a way of validating itself. The quality is there and manifest to anyone with serious interest. Our lives are to be lived as "self-controlled, upright, and godly" and that can happen in any set of circumstances. The secular and sacred have their boundaries blurred. It is hard to tell one from the other. The Spirit of the living God will not be denied. Christ was born into this world so that others who follow him will look after their fellow men and women. To accept life and live it in that fashion means Christmas is always with us. Why? Because the gifts of serving others are continually being bestowed upon humankind. So, be alert. There are a lot of really good deeds all about you.
Believe it or not, the world and Christians have need for a sign that calls attention to happenings truly benefiting others. Enough of this theoretical stuff; we want that which is real and evidences gems of legitimacy. It seems we all go through periods in our lives that are filled with spiritual mediocrity or worse. We desperately need a sign that shows God still cares about us and ministers through us. When this happens, what a great day it is! All at once what appeared so average or even sub par comes to life and we are thoroughly reminded God has not abandoned us. The validation for which we were looking virtually stuns our senses and thought categories. Christmas wrappings and the gifts contained therein go together in cohesive beauty.
Being zealous in the right ways is a pure work of art to watch. Demagoguery doesn't rear its ugly head. Our works are free from egotistical yearnings. Our love is for more than a bit of kindness. Our motivations are pure and undefiled. Aggressiveness and helpfulness do not collide in bitter disagreement. We know who and what we are. The babe in Bethlehem is elevated for all to see how beautiful it is! Now it can be said and felt that those Christians have something I don't have and I want it! The stars in the heavens sing out in perfect harmony that Jesus Christ is born, and that everlasting love, as practiced in human relations, is possible because we witness it in action.
4. A wholesome sense of service is among those few essentials of the faith.
The long and short of it is we are intended to be useful to and for others in the highest and best sense. Jesus did not just come to us to be adored in a manger. He came to you and me that we might have life and have it abundantly. His promises are a sterling part of the revealed gospel. To sit by the hour and marvel by the hour at an exquisite crèche may be inspirational for us but whom else does this benefit? To laud to the heavens pictures — even icons — of the blessed Virgin and Jesus weeping, is marvelous for us, but for whom else? The grandeur of striking architecture thrills us beyond words. Frankly, what does it do for your neighbor with cancer?
It usually takes the common and human touch to strike a chord in those who are needy and perhaps on the verge of self-destruction. I believe we frequently underestimate ourselves here. The quiet pat on the back sometimes works wonders. No amount of money could have bought the positive sensation. Whisperings of appreciation with deep emotion can send many devils in hell running. Yes, there is a wholesomeness that is essential for anything significant to happen. Praises be to God, the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, simple kindness with sensitivity to the Holy Spirit can carry the day! The world yearns — sometimes in agony — for just these simple but very powerful good works.
Christ keeps on asking us, just as Peter, if we love him. If our answer is in the affirmative, we are to feed and tend his sheep and lambs. Through this endeavor we act as vehicles or channels of "bringing salvation to all." Isn't this what we are always to be about? Indeed, how else can we justify our existence as those professing the name of Jesus the Christ? Funny how we keep evading and avoiding that which is of the essence of our being in Christ, as Saint Paul put it. Loving others in a sincere and wholesome way, bears fruit in ways people can view. The Spirit will seek to guide them to accept and understand that this is why Jesus was born among us.
Are we able to enter the "pearly gates" without taking others with us? That question has been posed numerous times. Frankly, I believe it is possible but highly improbable. Why? Largely because it tends to contradict our vocation as Christians. Of course, if we are not formed after Christ's likeness and only play at religion for our own benefit, it is common sense we are going to fail spiritually. Without being judgmental, take an objective look at yourself. What do you see? Better continue to look some more and with intensity. In order to help Christ, we must continually give him away in thoughts, words, and actions. Believe me, the ages prove there is more than enough of him to go around! Stretching beyond these poor and weak spiritual muscles of ours, nevertheless, is to aid and assist our precious brothers and sisters.
Summary And Conclusion
Our dear Lord's coming throws into operation the possibility and probability of good deeds unlimited. His birth has made the difference between the ongoing and pagan understanding of existence and another way of living, replete with precious persons giving themselves in the name of Christ. The pragmatic and useful characteristics of our ministries, lay and clergy, are evidence his coming was and is not in vain. His birth shattered the assumption that life, even for morally upright people, had to be lived stoically with bravery. This is not to discount those religious beacons coming before him. It is to emphasize that his coming brought us a whole new dimension, namely, love in action freely doing good deeds.
So, the "grace of God has appeared" in the person of a Jewish baby boy. In accepting him as personal Savior and Lord with renunciation of "impiety and worldly passions" we are born anew for the benefit of others. Lives that are "self-controlled, upright, and godly" bring to the world a magnificent and yet practical way of serving humankind. The question is: Do you and I believe this? If we don't, why not? The revelation of his salvation to us should not only stagger us with its uniqueness, but empower us to take upon ourselves as many crosses as are laid upon us and be thankful! The call is for a decisive decision to discipleship that upon being fully accepted — leads to untold riches for others. Indeed, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?