Christmas presents problems. Can I say that without getting in trouble? It’s the truth. Christmas, and everything that comes with it, creates conflict. That may not be what you expected to hear on this Christmas morning, but deep down inside we all know that it’s true. But here’s the deal: that conflict may not be such a bad thing.
Christmas means a lot of things to a lot of people. The Christmas that Christians celebrate is just as cluttered as the rest of the world, but our clutter has meaning because it focuses on Christ. Christmas literally means the Mass or service celebrated in the church to mark the birth of Christ. Christmas is about Jesus Christ. Period. And that presents problems.
A special education teacher once shared a interesting account. Certain children who were apparently not Christian or did not come from Christian homes were noticeably uncomfortable singing Christmas carols—the simple ones we all like, like “Silent Night.” She claimed some of the children even became violent when they heard references to Jesus Christ. This was not merely an emotional issue, though I’m sure it was at least this. When it was time to sing “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer” these same children were noticeably relieved. They didn’t have to hear about Jesus anymore. Now we can sing about jolly old St. Nick and jingle bells, because they really don’t matter to us. If, however, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, He matters, and somehow these children knew it. They wanted to escape.
At the beginning of his gospel, John speaks of a conflict between light and darkness. As much as our Christmases try to cover up this struggle—with lights, parties, presents, etc.—the struggle goes on. John says that the light was shining in the darkness and the darkness tried to overcome the light but it was unsuccessful. Still this conflict between light and dark, between God and Satan, between belief and unbelief will continue as long as the world keeps spinning. Jesus is the light of the world. The ultimate proof that He is that Light is His resurrection from the dead. In our lives today He remains in combat with Satan, the Prince of Darkness.
Christmas would be a lot more fun for some folks if they just didn’t face to face the person of Jesus. The prophet Simeon told the mother of Jesus that He would be an obstacle; He would make people feel uncomfortable. He still does this. We Christians admit that we don’t understand everything we should about Jesus, but we do believe He brings a new dimension into our lives, and because he brings a new dimension into our lives, we can look at our own death differently. In Jesus, God is making a claim on everyone’s life, a claim that cannot be avoided.
We, like everyone else, can be carried away with Christmas busyness that has very little to do with Christ. You have given yourself a great gift today, by being here. You have given yourself the gift of time; time to reflect on what all the fuss is about. This is supposed to be a birthday celebration, with an important twist. Behind the manger; behind Joseph, Mary, and the Baby, something much more important and mysterious was happening. Jesus is not just one more child among other children. He is the one child who calls people, wherever they are, to worship Him!
Today’s Gospel reveals the mystery at the heart of our worship: “The Word was made flesh and He dwelt among us.” By these words the broad expanse of time and space are brought together. Heaven becomes part of earth. God becomes Mary’s child and this child becomes the brother of every man and woman who has ever lived. God has chosen to share permanently in our humanity: “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” He did not come down to look around like a King walking among his people in disguise, only to retreat to the comfort of his castle. He came down to take our pain and misery upon Himself.
The book of Genesis, the first book in the Bible, begins, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Then Genesis says that God spoke words to arrange what he had created. This Word that God spoke was not a sound that was heard and then lost into space. The Word that God spoke was the Word that was always with God. This Word has always lived face-to-face with God, and this Word was God himself, and by this Word God made all things. The opening verses of John’s gospel tie this all together for us. The creative Word is Jesus, who entered a flesh and blood body like ours, not just to live among us for a time, but to execute the ultimate rescue mission. That’s who is sleeping away in the manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes.
This is Christmas. Our eyes see a baby. Faith looks at the baby and confesses, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. All things were made by Him. And the Word was made flesh.” The God who cannot be seen can now be seen in His Son. The Creator has joined his creatures as a creature. “He was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary and was made man.” The God whose existence cannot be counted in days, weeks, months, years, or centuries was born and died. He was born, not for himself, but for you. He died, not for his sins, but for yours. As an infant, he took upon himself all the ills that belonged to us. All our sicknesses were transferred to him. All of our problems were presented to Christ. He suffered them patiently until He could pay for them in full. Christmas created a conflict that climaxed at the cross; a conflict in which Jesus conquered on Easter morning. This is the light that shines in the darkness. This is the light that shines in your heart. This is the lamp that lights your way. This is the light that will surround you for eternity. This is the joy of Christmas.
Adapted from a sermon by Rev. Dr. David Scaer
No comments:
Post a Comment