Years ago, when we attended a large church in Omaha, Nebraska, it became clear to my wife... that our pastor did NOT believe that Christ was divine in any way. To give him the benefit of the doubt, we invited him to our home and asked him directly. "No," he said, "I don't believe that Christ was born to a virgin. I don't believe that he came down from heaven either," he added. "Instead, I believe that he was a godly man who lived an exemplary life... and that we should all follow his teachings on love and peace." The Christmas message in the Bible then, to the good Reverend, was (and is) just a story-no more real than Santa Claus. In his view, there were no angels who sang about a baby, no unwed Jewish teenager who gave birth to God's child,, no shepherds who gathered around an cattle trough, no astrologers who followed a star, no promise of a new world in which the meek will be blessed and the last will be first. Christmas, in this minister's view (and he's not alone) is an occasion for families to gather and exchange gifts in the spirit of harmony and love. For him, Christmas is a time for people to "slow down" and reflect on how things would be if... they would be more loving and follow the Nazarene's teachings.
To our former pastor, Christmas is NOT about Christ breaking into our lives with a radical message of grace and obedience. It is NOT a transformingly divine moment, but a completely human moment that invites us to be gentler and more caring. Now-to be clear- there is much to be said for being less judgmental and more loving... and I am the first to confess that I love Christmas. I love Christmas! I love the fact that families who ordinarily don't gather together, come together on Christmas. I love the fact that people who don't give much of themselves or of their treasure during the year, take the time to serve food to the hungry and drop money into the Salvation Army's red kettles. I love the fact that people who haven't experienced worship in months... will once again worship God in a church of their choice. I even love the sharing of gifts, and I love the joy that these gifts give to others even more. Christmas is a wonderful holiday... but it is NOT a Holi-day without Christ! Indeed, when we urge others to "put Christ back in Christmas," we are understating the matter... because Christ is the very essence of Christmas!
Without Christ, we can wish one another a "happy holiday"... because the secular trappings of the holiday affect Christians and non-Christians alike. It is a time of joy for millions of people, Christians and non-Christians alike, and it is good to celebrate that... but we can"t prepare for his coming if we don't believe he is coming, and we can't embrace a new king if we don't believe that he is our king. In short, although I can celebrate the joy of the holiday season without believing, it's hard to see how I can honestly wish someone a "merry Christmas"... unless I take him, his ministry, and his Lordship seriously. The Bible says that there were "wise men" who followed a star to worship the Christ-child... because they took Christmas seriously. And that there were Shepherds who worshiped him in joyous wonder because they took seriously. Even Herod took Christmas seriously and he was a madman. Indeed, wise men and women still take Christmas seriously because they know that God Incarnate- Immanuel- a Savior born unto us- is much more powerful and life-changing- than a gentle snow and a sentimental song!
May the Christ of Christmas be very real to you and your loved ones this year. May he shower you with grace, may he mend your heart and heal your wounds, and may you invite him into your life as Lord and Savior. Amen.
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