Betrayal or Faithful?

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." 
-Matthew 26:19-20 (NIV)

It's our first morning at Disney. As we arrived at the Orlando Airport last night, we were greeted with a beautiful display of Christmas lights and decorations everywhere. Noticeably absent, at least to this point, is any religious symbolism of the season. I haven't seen a baby in a manger or a star of Bethlehem. I haven't seen three wise men...although I did see a wise guy yelling at the car rental clerk at the airport about his car not being ready. I've yet to see Mary, the mother of Jesus, but Minnie and Daisy have been around almost every corner.

It's in that context that I read the betrayal story this morning and I cannot help but wonder if what I've seen in Orlando thus far is one of the ways that Jesus feels betrayed in 2012.

Christmas is bigger than ever in our culture. More people are decorating. More people are shopping. At the same time, Jesus (the real reason of the season) seemingly has never been smaller. "Merry Christmas" has been replaced by "Happy Holidays." The baby in the manger has been replaced by a super-sized Santa in a sleigh...or a mouse with a high-pitched voice.

If you were Jesus, would you feel betrayed? What will you do to be faithful to the real reason for Christmas this year? How does that stack against the other trappings of this season that you encounter?

May God grant you the grace to be faithful today.




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If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Matthew 20-22. Sunday's readings are Matthew 28 and 1 Thessalonians 1-3.