Introduction

The story is told of a man who joined a monastery, where only two words were allowed to be spoken per year—and that to the abbot at the end of each year. Obviously, those words were intended to be expressions of praise and thanksgiving, but this man, at the end of his first year, said, "Bed hard!" At the conclusion of his second year at the monastery, he said, "Food bad," and, at the end of the third—"I quit!" "I'm not surprised," said the abbot, "you've done nothing but whine and complain ever since you came here!"

This, I think, is the attitude that many have towards Christmas. Just the very thought of the word makes many cringe, simply because their focus is on the cost involved. First, there is the cost financially—five years ago, the NRF projected worldwide retail sales would increase 5.7% over the previous year, bringing the total to $217.4 billion. That increase from 2003 to 2004 would be the largest jump since 1999. It was also projected that, on the average, each American household would spend $617. Two years later, in 2006, that average cost would climb to $910. And now, with prices going up and up, so will the cost of Christmas. But there are other costs—the time, the energy, the busyness, and the list could go on and on. I know I seem to be making the case for a complaining spirit—it’s the only thing that seems to make sense—but at Christ Our Rock Bible Church, we would like to encourage you to see the cost of Christmas a lot differently. It doesn’t have to be a month and a half-long hassle that does nothing but wear you down and out. If you will take time each day to seek the Lord of Christmas, you will see the true cost—not in dollars, but in sense! Through the first week and a half, our focus will be on the first book of the Bible—Genesis. Why? It is in Genesis where the story of God's love for His people truly begins. "Genesis" is the Greek translation for a Hebrew word that refers to the origin, source, creation, and beginning of something. Literally, it is the book of beginnings—how apropos that it would begin with the phrase, "In the beginning!" Generation after generation, we will see people born—born to live their lives for the purposes of God. Granted, some didn't, but many did—and it was God who tried to lead them in the only direction that makes sense.

But that isn't all—we will also see what it cost the Lord to take His people through the times of the Judges, Kings, and Prophets. And then, about a week and a half before Christmas Day, the focus will turn to the actual Christmas story, and the cost for both the Lord and for His people. In fact, this is what everything else was pointing towards—the cost of Christmas—not in dollars, but in sense. Oh, sure—the world and much of the church has perverted Christmas, but Christmas, God's way, is the only thing that makes sense. You see, without the manger, there could be no Cross—and without the Cross, no salvation, no freedom from sin, and no indwelling Holy Spirit. So don't complain—the Lord knows what really makes sense—and now, so will we!