Okay, so there's been a big controversy lately about the new Starbucks "Red Holiday Cups", particularly from concerned fellow Christians who are worried that another corporation is dumping Christian traditions and historical foundations, in favor of another bland, vague, PC celebration of "The Holidays", this time in the form of a plain red coffee cup, they will say.
I'll tell you now, I don't feel overly invested in what a coffee chain is doing, as I never drink the stuff, let alone at 6 bucks a cup... But I've had some time to think abut the controversy, and why I believe the anger may actually be a big missed opportunity!
Look, I get it - Yes, I acknowledge that many long-standing Christian foundations of society are becoming prey to modern relativism, as being nothing distinctly special and worthy of great honor. But in this instance I have some questions for you...
What exactly is the thing you're mad about? Would there be a controversy here if Starbucks had put some snowmen, or reindeer, some holly, or Santa Claus on the cup? I really doubt there would. Do you need them to emblazon the the cup with "Merry Christmases"? What exactly is it you're fighting for? What's the end game?
You fellow Christians who are up in arms about this, I want you to realize something - At Christmas, we're celebrating the moment when a little baby is born, a very special baby... This is God with us. This is a Savior for all people. A Savior, the only Savior, who would grow up to one day die on a cross in our stead, paying the price we could never pay, ransoming us from the gates of hell... and he did it with his own blood.
Revelation 1:5
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first
begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him
that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood"
His own blood.
People, the Starbucks cup is red. It's completely red.
No snowmen, no reindeer, no winter cottages or decorative snowflakes. Just red.
Jesus has reconciled us back to God through his life, death, and
resurrection. This is why he was sent, after all. We missed the mark of
heaven's righteousness, but he shed his blood for us to make us
righteous. He made a way to peace with God where there was none. He
takes your scarlet debt, he gives you his perfect white.
God has offered eternal life to all people, not based on any of our good deeds, not on our keeping of ceremonies or ordinances, not based on our works of living a good lifestyle or turning from bad behavior - but simply by believing on Jesus alone, what HE has done in our stead.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life.
This is the gift of God. The price has been paid, the price we could never pay - and like all gifts, paid for completely by the giver, free to the receiver.
When you really think about it - what could be more Christmas-y?
Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift.
For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of
God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath
abounded unto many.
Titus3:5: "Not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Yeah, I'm pretty confident in saying this was not Starbucks' motivation for the red cup thing, they're likely doing what they think will make the most long-term financial sense for the company - but yes Charlie Brown, this can be a strikingly beautiful reminder for us of what Christmas is really all about. In the words of the beloved hymn;
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
I propose we call it the "Gift of Heaven" cup. Think of it, what a wonderful opportunity! This Christmas, give a coffee-lover their favorite Starbucks hot drink, sit with them and tell them why the red cup is perfect for this time of year...
A lot has been said about the future of Marvel's big screen universe with regards to their trailblazing cinematic version of Iron Man, embodied so fittingly by Robert Downey Jr. - but he's getting older and his exit from the character is not too far away - as RDJ has essentially affirmed... 
He has a voice that you could hear Tony Stark speaking in, and with the right goatee he could have the look as well. His comedic sense, delivery, and tone of character could be quite Stark-esque indeed, and his "Last Man" appearances have convinced me of his dramatic abilities. What do you think?
