Disheartened

I just received an email from the River City Sports and Social Club to come to their Christmas party. Admission: a wrapped toy, $10 value to help "Sergeant Santa." Ok, hanging out with friends, providing presents for underprivileged kids, these seem like legitimate reasons to have a party. But the poem that came with the invitation really got me, consider the following lines:

Twas the end of the year, when all through the bar
not a player was sober, not even the "star."

No thought about sleeping, there's kegs to be tapped,
And Sudsy is looking for more than just a night cap.

The players were nestled face first in the keg
while seasons of football replayed in their head...

He whistled, and shouted, and called them by name,
"On football, now dodgeball! Now wiffleball & volleyball!" "On kickball"

And somewhere I heard on this eventful night,
"Just do it for the kids and give it all your might!!"

Picture a typical Nativity scene ... get that scene in your head, all that is represented there... what part of this party has anything to do with Christmas? Nothing. "But wait, the magi brought presents to Jesus ... and Jesus was God's gift to the world! So giving gifts lines up, right?" Yes, but the magi brought gifts to honor and worship the King of Kings ... and Jesus was a gift given to sacrifice himself for the sins of humanity. No parallels there. But, wait there is one big parallel: worship. Worship is the common denominator in this party and the first Christmas. But the worship offered by shepherds and magi (even though I realize the magi weren't there the night Jesus was born) and declared by angels was appropriate worship; it was directed to the One who is worthy of being declared worthy. The worship that will take place at this party will be given to idols, to the false gods of alcohol and recreation, and ultimately, to the false god of self. And this saddens me.

We live in a world of idolatry, where people seek to fill their emptiness with false promises of fulfillment, and the quicker the results the better (i.e. - a couple beers equals decent buzz in a matter of minutes). Now, this particular event also includes buying a gift for a poor kid, which will inevitably serve to ease whatever conscious may be left in those that are worshiping alcohol. The faulty system of moral balances ("I did something good by bringing a present, so I earned a night of drunkenness") will ensure that all the beer is consumed. But this Christmas party is particularly interesting (read sad) because it is all done in the name of the One who deserves worship, and yet, He will get no recognition, no worship... in fact, He will be blasphemed by practices of false worship.

I know I can't be mad at the world for being the world, but I think it is highly appropriate to be disheartened, and broken, at the thought of a club like this with a substantial following, whose gods are sports and beer. This should drive all true worshipers to brokenness and prayer, and give us open hearts to share truth with those living far from God. In this season especially, may we have our eyes and hearts open to share with those whose hearts are empty. I think I'll be attending this party ... and bring a Gift.