Random Ruminations on Christmas

Christmas is over for another year. Nothing left but the recycling and "Thank you" notes. Time to look back and ruminate a little on Christmas 2007...

1. Should we celebrate Christmas? A story in the Tacoma News Tribune recently looked at American Christians who reject the celebration of Christmas on religious grounds (http://www.thenewstribune.com/tacoma/24hour/religion/story/228703.html). Those quoted contend that the holiday was largely ignored until the late 19th century because of "the lack of biblical sanction for Dec. 25 as the date of Jesus' birth." Readers are reminded that many of the elements of our Christmas celebrations (e.g., decorating trees) have origins in paganism and celebrations of the winter solstice. Clyde Kilough, president of the United Church of God, is quoted as saying,"The theological question is quite simple: Is it acceptable to God for humans to choose to worship him by adopting paganism's most popular celebrations and calling them Christian?" To a great extent, I believe the answer is "Yes." Let's remember that God is in the business of redeeming the profane. God doesn't create holy people and sacred practices ex nihilo; God instead starts with sinful people and practices, and then he transforms them in Christ.
   
   In addition, from the earliest days, Christian communities have had to wrestle with how the radical freedom found in Christ pertains to the cultic worship practices of both Jews and Gentiles, with the bulk of New Testament teaching focusing on a) not judging others, either positively or negatively, for their practices, b) not forcing others to follow the old rules, and c) not allowing one's own freedom in Christ to become a stumbling block for others (e.g, Rom. 14:1-4; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; Gal. 4:9-11; Col. 2:13-23). This challenge is nothing new.
   
   More importantly, I think there are important theological reasons for keeping a regular celebration of Christmas in American Christianity. The Incarnation is severely overlooked in protestant theology. In many ways, it is seen as means to an end--Jesus had to be born so that he could die. We hear this in sermons and songs every December. I certainly don't want to deny the central importance of Christ's death and resurrection. But the coming of God in Christ, the Word becoming flesh, has vital significance in itself. Evangelical Protestants speak often of humanity's sin incurring God's wrath and requiring a penalty of death. We sometimes add that sin separates us from God. But we often fail to account for the natural separation between divinity and humanity. There is an ontological divide as well as a sin divide. Combine the two and clearly our humanity may not have unmediated or self-initiated communion with God. So Christ becomes the mediator between holy God and sinful humanity by taking on human flesh and becoming one of us. Unless the Son of God had taken on our humanity we could have no hope of becoming united with him because there would be no point of common contact. But because his flesh is our flesh, we may be united to him and subsequently receive the benefits of his Cross. This incredible Christmas journey of the Son of God from heaven to earth is worth celebrating just as his Easter journey from the Cross to the empty tomb.
   
   
2. Waiting for Christmas. Last Sunday I preached on the theme of waiting, drawing upon the stories of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2 and how they had lived for decades intently and intentionally waiting for the coming of Christ. I believe that in big ways and small ways, all of us our waiting for God to show up in our lives and do something, although that something will be different for all of us. At one point, I sought to expound on the ways in which God uses waiting, that God intentionally makes us wait, as a means for shaping our character and for deepening our faith and trust in him.
   
   In discussing the theme with my (brilliant) wife afterward, she made the great observation that we often lose out on those benefits because we cheat. Like a kid who can't wait for the go-ahead from the parents to start opening the Christmas presents, we take shortcuts and try to get what we want right now. People have always had trouble waiting on God. Unlike Simeon and Anna, how many people living before the first Christmas couldn't wait for the true Messiah? How many settled for less and followed the posers who came claiming the title? How many gave up hope for God to show up and make good on his promise, and they decided to take matters into their own hands and rely on their own strength? How often do I do the same?
   
   When I think of areas in my life where I'm waiting on God, I usually fall to one of two temptations that keep me from waiting actively. Sometimes I take matters into my own hands. I remain active, but now I try to make things happen myself. Other times, I become resigned. I'm waiting, but not actively. It's the life-posture of "Whatever."
   
   Christmas, or more accurately Advent, has been a good reminder this year of the need to wait actively upon the Lord. It's a reminder and a lesson I hope to carry into 2008.