Bright Spot: Many miss the point of this special season
Orville and Wilbur Wright were excited. You may’ve heard of these bicycle shop owners who were unknown in 1903. Soon that was to change as they became famous for something that impacted our world a bit more than bicycles.
Here’s what they telegraphed their sister one December day in 1903: “First sustained flight today fifty-mine seconds. Hope to be home by Christmas.”
Brief messages are often misunderstood. All of us have been burned by a misinterpreted text or tweet. But this one creates a category of its own for missing the point. The Wright’s sister was also excited about her brothers’ news. So she rushed the telegram down to the local newspaper editor. He printed this as the next morning’s headlines: “Popular Local Bicycle Merchants To Be Home For Holidays.”
Fake news? No! Good news? Yes! But missing the point? Dyathink!
What would God say is missing from the many messages over the internet, airwaves, and print media from Oct. 31 through Dec. 25th?
Something super significant and central to this season ... and really Good News...THE Good News. The best news!
Not presents, but a person who is supposed to be the reason for this season, Jesus Christ. Read about him in the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in your Bible (which may also be missing in your house. Not because you don’t own one, but nowhere to be found due to disuse. Sad and factual news: THE most owned book but one of the least read.).
Don’t miss the point or this Person this Christmas. Better yet, look for him every day. He’s never far from you! “God’s purpose for the nations was to seek after him ... and find him – though he is not far from any one of us” (Acts 17:27)!
Rick Sams is pastor emeritus at Alliance Friends Church.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Bright Spot: Many miss the point of this special season
