Deciding what to keep—it can be a challenge at Christmastime, too
By Dean Collins
Eventually we will put family members in that uncomfortable position of determining what of our possessions they will keep and how to distribute or dispose of the rest. It seems that no matter how much we plan, there will be at minimum boxes of papers, trinkets, and clothing someone must decide what to do with. Most of the stuff we leave behind will be of little use to our family. But there will be exceptions. We keep certain things to help us remember the person. The possession has value because of who once owned it.
I have kept an old tool of my adopted grandfather for 50 years now. My grandparents died before I knew them, so as a child I picked an older couple from the first church I remember as a child. I am told that I gravitated to this couple when I was just 2 years old, and by the time I was 4, I was calling them Papa and Grandma. They had moved to Tampa from Detroit when he retired from Ford where he had worked as an engineer. They had a small home in Tampa with a detached garage where Papa kept his shop filled with tools. Not long before his death, he gave me a wood planer. I have treasured it because it reminds me of him and of his love for me. I am not a craftsman. I simply keep this wood planer because it helps me remember someone very important in my life.
Essential for Christmas
As we begin the Advent season when we prepare our hearts, minds, and homes for Christ’s birth and his eventual return, I am considering the idea of what we keep as essential in our lives and in our celebrations. As Luke tells the Christmas story, we learn of shepherds out in the field keeping watch over their flock by night. The darkness of night created opportunity for wolves to find dinner. Diligent and caring shepherds stood guard to protect their sheep from harm. It was in this setting that an angel appeared, announcing the birth of Jesus. The announcement ended with a host of angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.”
Even those not inclined to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas often fill their homes with decorations that include angels, shepherds, and stars. And it’s hard to visit a store or restaurant without hearing many Christmas carols such as “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” or “O come, All Ye Faithful.” Many keep Christ in their Christmas gathering even when they choose not to follow him.
Those shepherds, and ours
The Holy One the shepherds worshipped also declared himself to be our Good Shepherd. John 10 records this wonderful truth. And the little epistle called Jude has my favorite benediction in all of scripture. Jude closes his one-chapter letter with these words: “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Notice that first line, “to him who is able to keep you.” This Jesus, the Good Shepherd who keeps us from stumbling and presents us blameless before God, protects us against harm in the same way the shepherds of Luke kept their flock from the dangers of hungry predators.
Jude, along with other apostles, warns us of false teachers who are actually predatory. They walk and talk around the edges of truth, trying to lure people of faith to messages not consistent with the Gospel. Jude describes Jesus as the one who can keep us from stumbling or being lured away from God’s truth. There is a mutual keeping that is a part of our journey of faith. We keep our eyes on Jesus and his truth, and he keeps us in his care, free from spiritual danger.
Only Jesus
There will always be new imposters who want to suggest a compromised way of viewing Jesus as a way to real life, peace, and happiness. But only Jesus can keep us from falling; only Jesus can present us blameless before the throne of God when he returns in glory.
Scripture is filled with promises that God is our shepherd. I think this Christmas we might do well to keep this picture in our mind as we celebrate the arrival of our Shepherd and King.
In the years ahead, I will do my best to eliminate lots of stuff so that my kids and grandchildren don’t have to worry about what to keep. We must daily make choices of what is essential to keep and what we can let go of. But I don’t want to let go of Jesus; he is the truth that saves us. It is a great comfort to know that as we navigate our way forward, Jesus will always be there, keeping us until he returns again.
Your time with God‘s Word
Luke 2:8-14; Psalm 121:7-8; Jude 24-25; John 16:33; Romans 8:37-39 ESV
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