Anyone who has seen the movie The Sixth Sense vividly remembers that chilling moment when the young star of the film says with fright, “I see dead people.”  Strange as it may sound, this Christmas I keep thinking, “I hear dead people.” No, I am not having paranormal experiences.  In fact, it is all quite normal and even profound.  Let me explain.

During the early days of the Christmas season, I have turned our television to a satellite radio music station labeled, “Holiday Traditions.”  One after another I keep hearing dead people singing Christmas songs.  Of course, they were adequately alive when they recorded the classic holiday melodies.  Now, they are long gone.  Whether it is Karen Carpenter singing ”Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Elvis singing “Blue Christmas,” Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas” (or countless other examples) –these singers are dead.  Some of them left this life tragically and very broken.  Yet, they keep serving up the holiday classics.  So you wonder, “What is your point?”

Timeless but Brief

Christmas has a way of reminding us of both the timelessness of life and the brevity of life, all at once.  In many senses the songs and ambiance of the season are unchanging.   Every year it is easy to get completely caught up in the feeling and festivities.  The euphoria and warmth seem as if they could last forever.

On the other hand, Christmas reminds us all of how quickly our life passes by.  When I was a child it felt like Decembers were an eternity apart.  Now, it seems like Christmas rolls around every six months.  Each season as I unpack the decorations I think of the previous year, or two, or five – wondering, “Where did the time go?” 

So, this “dead people singing” thing has kept my mind in a reoccurring consideration of James 4:13-17:

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit", whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.  Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."  But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

The great take-away from this passage is, “Don’t presume on life because it is very short and uncertain.  Humbly do God’s will.  If you don’t you are living in sin.”  Let’s briefly elaborate.

Presumption and Pride

Two great vices are identified in this verse.  They can even be the prevailing attitude of the holidays.  They are presumption and pride.  Our world is filled with people touting their grandiose plans while they grab all the gusto they can.  Churches are even filled with people like this.

James shouts a riveting wake-up call by reminding us all that life is a “vapor” – a “puff of smoke.”  We will be gone before we know it.  Our vain appearance in this life is fleeting and indefinite.  Just like those dead Christmas singers, we will soon be gone – and in most cases completely forgotten in this life.  (Isn’t that a nice dose of Christmas cheer?)  

James says that a life that disregards these realities is one of arrogant and evil boasting.  Living with presumption and pride is foolish.

Sincere Trust – Humble Obedience

The positive prescription in this passage is also twofold: In essence James tells us to do what is best through sincere trust and to do what is right via humble obedience.  The declaration of a sincere and trusting heart is, “If the Lord wills.”  Everything in life is done in light of what is best in view of God’s overarching will as revealed in His Word.

The closing command of this passage is evocative.  James says that if we fail to do what we know is good and right, we are living in sin.  So what is this “good” that we must do?  This verse must be understood in contrast to what is called “evil” in the previous verse, that being “arrogant boasting.”

A Holiday Obedience List

Clearly, we do know some good things to do (as James infers) and we must implement them in sincere trust and humble obedience, especially in light of our short and evaporating journey on earth.  Consider this short list of good things to do this season:

1.      Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8) – Moment by moment we must do what is right, exhibit mercy and compassion toward the people in our life, and walk humbly in a vital, daily relationship with God.  So, what truly just acts can we engage in this season?  Who needs our mercy and compassion right now?  How much time and effort are we spending on our walk with God?  The prescription is clear – “just do it.”

2.      Love God – love people (Matthew 22:37-40) – According to Jesus, these are the big ones we must embrace.  The heart of Christmas is the story and substance of God’s sacrificial love for us.  It is about relationships, not things.  At Christmas we must remember that we must love people and use things, not the other way around.

3.      Be thankful in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  Whether in abundance or scarcity – whether among noisy family gatherings or in quiet loneliness – we must be grateful.  It is a sin NOT to count our blessings – regardless of our temporary circumstances this holiday season.

4.      Make every day matter (Psalm 90:12) – Moses prayed, “Teach us to number our days.”  Every moment matters when life is so short and eternity is so long.  We must do something that really counts for people and for the Lord, making the most of every opportunity as we live with care and urgency (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Of course, there are many other “good” things prescribed in the Scriptures.  But just this handful of ideas gives us a great start in expressing our sincere trust and humble obedience this season.

Our Soon-passing Christmases

So we should go ahead and truly enjoy the holidays.  As long as we have ears we should cherish the Christmas music (whether the artists are dead or alive).  As long as we have eyes we should enjoy the lights and decorations.  As long as we have arms and hands we should embrace and serve the ones we love.  As long as we have legs and feet we should go to the celebrations – and even walk across the street to some needy family. As long as we have beating hearts we should cherish the ambiance of the moment.  Yet, in all of this we must remember: “Only one life, so soon it will pass – and only what is done for, and in, the Christ of Christmas will truly last.”

Copyright © 2008 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved.