Groucho and Christmas

One of Groucho Marx's funniest and most insightful quips was  "I don't want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member."

I used to think it was just a funny self-deprecating line about how insecure we can be, and how sometimes we feel unworthy when placed in unfamiliar social environments.  You know, when presented with a whole arsenal of cutlery in a fancy restaurant (work your way in from the outer most and hope they clear what is not needed), or when you ask some questions about what you thought were handkerchiefs and the sales guy asks "what blazers does he normally wear?" Oh... Pocket squares! I mumble something and quickly move on. But my son and I both agree that they could double up as handkerchiefs, albeit very expensive ones.

This Christmas season, I suddenly realised that this line by Marx meant something else to me. It is easy to get caught up in the festivities and forget that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ our saviour.  He came not just for a select few, but to bring light and hope to all, including those who try as they might, feel they are not good enough, that they don't belong. All He needs is for us to believe and accept Him, no matter what our failings may be.  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8

This also reminded of another perspective, that how others see and hear of my walk with Him is important.  Do they feel that this is a club that they want no part of because of how I live and behave?  "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1

Do we who believe, sometimes undermine our own message by judging, by being uncharitable?  Do we walk the talk?  We need to be transformed to love and forgive, just as He did us.  Yes we will stumble and fall occasionally for that is the nature of sin, but we are secure in our salvation and that is the only assurance we need.

So my wish today is for a very blessed Christmas for all, full of joy, peace and love.  Enjoy the lights, soak in the festive air, treasure the gifts and remember the greatest gift that was given to us all those years ago.