Just the other day I was awakened to the sound of the radio announcer saying that it was 12 degrees below zero. It has been bitterly cold where I live for the last few days. When I went out to start my car the engine had a hard time turning over and my fingers grew numb quickly despite the fact that I was wearing leather gloves with fleece lining. This kind of cold reminded me of a time in my childhood.
I remember one bitterly cold Christmas in particular. I was in elementary school when we were living in Lander, Wyoming—out on the great wide plains below the Rocky Mountains. The winters there were terrifyingly cold. One winter we had an entire week of twenty-five degrees below zero and the snow drifts got so high the cattle could walk over the fences. Now that’s cold.
Forty-two layers of coats and gloves and boots and hats still don’t protect you much from that kind of chill. So you run from the car, to the school, to the store, to your house. Dad would “plug the car in” (no we were yet years away from hybrids!) at night to keep the engine warm enough to start the next morning.
You can imagine that when it’s that cold you don’t get out much. You get stuck inside for several months. In areas like this people get what is called “cabin fever.” It’s kind of like being in prison. You have a limited space to walk around in because you are always bumping up against the same people (called family) and the same furniture every hour of every day. In situations like this there are only so many times a kid can play the board games. Everyone grows restless and stir-crazy.
So you can imagine what spring means in places like Lander. It really means freedom. When the first crocuses pop up through the snow you know that liberty is on its way! You don’t have to be annoyed by your siblings because you can run freely through the grass and in and out of the house. But winter must be endured to really enjoy spring.
So, there we were in one of those terribly cold winters. I could tell that Mom and Dad were very excited about the gifts they got us because we could see them whispering and talking close as we drew nearer to that glorious morning. My parents took great delight in hiding gifts from us. And it was always a challenge for us children to try to figure it out where things might be hidden.
On Christmas morning, my brother, sisters and I generally would burst forth from our bedrooms and dive toward the tree. But on this particular Christmas morning my parents made me stay in my room a bit longer. Now you can imagine that that just about killed me. I endured the great pain and anxiety because even through all that pain and anxiety I could see that their eyes were glowing and they had delighted grins on their faces. I could hear some movement in the living room and then I heard my father’s voice telling me I could come out. And there right next to the Christmas tree stood this beautiful blue bicycle. I could have done summersaults—but our living room was so small. It was beautiful. It was a sparkling blue Schwinn with shiny chrome. I could hardly speak I was so overjoyed.
I was thrilled with this gift, not because it was the biggest under the tree and not because it was shiny. I was thrilled with it because it represented freedom. No longer would I have to ask my parents to take me to the library—one of my favorite places in that childhood town. No longer would I have to feel bound from beautiful spring days. All I would have to do is get on my bike and go. If it was hot and stifling I could ride through the air and get free air conditioning. If it was chilly I could race along the sidewalks feeling the crisp autumn air refreshing my lungs. I loved that bike. But more than that bike I loved my freedom.
Around six years later I was having a spiritual winter. I was a restless and angry teenager. I had so much resentment and hatred boiling in my heart I was miserable. Nothing seemed right or good. Everything was tainted with bitterness and guilt.
I had been raised in a Christian home. When I was in 5th grade I had asked Jesus to forgive my sins and come into my heart. But up to that point I had never really let God take total control of my life. Sure, I had the faith practices of my parents, but they hadn’t completely become my own yet. And I was trying to do life on my own, still unsure of how to get rid of anger and the guilt that seemed to plague me. My spiritual “cabin fever” was evidence of that fact.
One night I was standing under the stars, just staring into space. The stars were burning brightly and in an instant my heart and my mind were suddenly overtaken with the love of God through Jesus Christ. For the first time in my life I understood how very much Jesus loved me. The love of God, the presence of the Holy Spirit and peace that passes understanding flooded into my heart and mind in such a way that it felt as if all the bitterness and guilt were swept away.
In the days following this event I began to be almost completely absorbed in the Word of God. I wanted more and more of Him and His Word. I had found new freedom to absorb His Word, new freedom to make right choices, new freedom to sleep in peace, new courage for the difficult days and circumstances, new hope for my future that had been so very dark, and new freedom to express joy and thankfulness.
Here are some of the Scriptures that I read and believed.
Proverbs 11:21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.
John 8: 31-32 Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Romans 6: 20-23 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Corinthians 3: 17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Colossians 1:12-23 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.
Friends, I believe Christ did not come into this world as a tiny baby just so that we could have a celebration of wrapped packages underneath a Christmas tree. He didn’t come into this world just so that the American economy could surge again because we all go out and spend money on gifts. He didn’t even come into this world just so that the oppressed peoples could have open elections. He didn’t come into this world just so that once a year the world could kind of stop and recognize that love and good will are nice things. No! Christ came into this world so that everyone could experience true freedom.
Because of what Jesus Christ has done, because the Holy Spirit abides within all who believe, because God the Father has spread his love out all over the world, every person whether they are a fifth grader at church camp, or a youth riding her bike, or a teenager staring at the stars, or a young adult caught up in the work world, or an adult struggling with purpose—all of these people, both great and small, can receive the gift of freedom. All they have to do is believe in Jesus Christ and strive to live like him.
God started giving this gift the moment Adam and Eve sinned. He continued to give it through his love demonstrated to a group of rag tag nomads called the Hebrews and anyone who would convert to His ways. Then he brought it to the glorious apex—the demonstration of his love by the coming, living, sacrificing and resurrecting of Jesus Christ for our freedom.
In Galatians 5:1 we find these incredible words: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
True freedom was experienced by the shepherds on the starry night, when the angels appeared to them. What they saw and heard set them free to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Maybe they were looking up into the night sky as I was—studying the stars.
Luke 2:9-18
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
This Christmas I pray for every one of you to know the freedom that Christ has bought. I long for you to know that freedom from guilt and sin. I am hungry for you to know freedom from gossip, slander, addictions, fear, anxiety, hatred, torment, division and deceit. And if I long for that for you, how much more does God long for your complete freedom?
There is a wonderful piece of prose that a friend had framed in her house. When I saw it I asked if I could have a copy of it because it was so meaningful to me. I want you to listen to this wonderful piece by an anonymous author.
Road of Life
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.
But later on when I met God, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.
When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. . . It was the shortest distance between two points.
But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on!! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!"
I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust.
I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine.
And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did [give] to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages.
And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, God.
And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says, "Pedal." --Author Unknown
For many of you something as simple as a bike under a Christmas tree will always represent freedom. Whatever symbol is attached to your idea of freedom, it can be topped by the great Christmas gift of freedom in Christ. Maybe you’ve been waiting anxious and nervous behind a door that you have kept shut, unable to see yet what he has for you. Perhaps you just need to hear his wonderful voice inviting you to come out of the darkness to see what is possible for you this year—today! Throw the door of your heart open and race to see what he has in store for you as you embrace forgiveness, hope, joy and true freedom in Christ Jesus.
During this lovely, winter Christmas, let’s let the freedom of Christ ride through our hearts and homes, through our neighborhoods and our nation, through our nations and our world.
