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While rereading Rick Warren's The Purpose of Christmas, I was reminded how easy it is to forget the reason for the season. Despite the bumper stickers, I still find myself being sucked into the giant "Black Friday-Cyber Monday" vortex. But Rick reminds us that this has happened before. It must have been so bad that God invaded the earth (as Rick says humorously). It's funny but memorable and thought provoking which is what good teachers do. Yes Jesus was sent to let us know how much God loves us. It didn't make any difference that God kept telling his people that they were loved. We don't even have to work for it. God loves us because God is love. But just to give us one more jolt that we could never forget, God sent his son Jesus to save us from our sins. Now Jesus was a lot like other invaders. He spoke a different language that focused on love, forgiveness, and peace. He called us to be meek and love God like little children. He asked his chosen twelve followers to give up their homes, families, jobs; really everything that they had come to hold dear. Jesus offered them eternal life and he enrolled them in a management training program that would forever change their lives.  Jesus was the ultimate CEO and like any good leader who builds something and wants it to last, he planned for his succession. Jesus knew that the apostles would have to continue to build his church on earth once he returned to Heaven. But make no mistake, Jesus did come to conquer. He only wanted the entire world. And to prove that he was serious, he gave his life. He stretched out his arms, showing the breadth of his love, and allowed himself to be nailed to the cross. So the baby Jesus that we celebrate on Christmas day grew into the savior of the world. His gift to us is eternal life but we do have to give something in return. He wants our lives. He wants to use us to further his invasion. Because his time on earth was only the beginning and we are called to continue the battle until he comes again to complete the war. So as we continue to prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the day that forever changed the world, let us truly focus on the reason for the season. Make this advent preparation time worthy of the effort that Jesus gave. Take the time to demonstrate to the world that Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, are here to change the world. Be meek, peace-makers. Reach out to those less fortunate. Bring some joy into a life that may be filled with loneliness. Invade your part of the world with the ferociousness of a prayer warrior worthy to be called a disciple of Christ. Come Emmanuel and change the world.

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