Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Happy Advent

As it does every year, Christmas time has come again. It’s the wonderful time of the year of family togetherness, sharing, love and of course the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Often what first comes to my memory at least are fond memories of Christmas cookies, Christmas music, Family, some of my favorite presents (one of my all time favorites being the G.I. Joe headquarters), and manger scenes. However, throughout the years and especially this year the magic seems gone. I am assuming it is something to do with growing up because all that is seen is another break from the monotony and hectic pressures of all of life’s needs and concerns. As a kid I stared with wide-eyed amazement at the Christmas tree our family would put up and just get lost in the colorful glow and would often climb under it and stare up for a better look. The house smelled like cookies and my siblings and I would be giddy with expectation of our presents to come while we watched the specials on TV like Rudolph and the Grinch. Joy set in with a mystical blanket that covered everything that I knew.
Yet now I sit in front of a tree and gas fueled fire somewhat missing those days and looking at the world as what it truly is, cold and grim. Granted that I have become much more of a cynic through the past five or so year, more than most but working on it. I could rant and rave about the commercialization of a sacred holiday or even feel so enlightened to bring up pagan traditions and play the role of the wise Grinch. I say this not to make sure that the taste of coal goes forth in this advent but to inspire, provoke, and possibly instill a little hope.
It has been awhile since I have seen a Christmas movie. Some of the bigger ones like Elf and the Santa Clause trilogy have been some of the more notable in the past few years. My favorite by far was the Nativity film that came out last year. The bulk of the family flicks that come out inspire warmth, love, compassion and kindness to one’s fellow man, a breath of fresh air from the chaos and disappointment from life. Sad to say that the most recent Christmas film I watched was the first Die Hard movie, which I suggest no one to see. On top of being filled with profuse profanity, spots of nudity, and all around violence, it also took place on Christmas Eve. Things were blown up, adultery was made light, bitterness was glorified, lives were violently ended, pride was praised, and injustice was having a heyday. This, my friends, is the meaning of Christmas.
Now, before I get labeled a jaded Scrooge, I know that it’s tempting, to better clarify this is the reason for Christmas. Christmas has more often than not become a tradition of Americana and then passes by with the huge sales the next year. Carols are reflected on and we thank Jesus for becoming a baby so that we may have salvation. We are thankful for the gift of God and are befuddled at the hats of the Magi, in this brief time joy has truly come to the world.
There is no book, in my opinion that talks about the incarnation and the meaning of it like that of Isaiah. So much more than forgiveness of sins is at hand:
“Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment. So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives. "And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression," declares the LORD. And as for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring," says the LORD, "from this time forth and forevermore." Isaiah 59:14-21

Now that is quite a heavy passage. This is the love that John 3:16 talks about and is far more poetically explained in Philippians 2:6-11. Jesus came to establish a Kingdom and for that reason He came.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

My friends we have a God who sees and who cares. We have a God who came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and who will permanently crush the serpent’s head and restore righteousness (Gen 3). Righteousness is not some ethereal moral code but rather the correct order in which all things were meant to be and in accordance to the glory of God (Hab 2:7) which is all things aligned to the triune God of relational love. Christmas was for the oppressed, for the poor, for those in bondage, and for the afflicted. Christmas is for every single act of injustice that happens under the sun and the guarantee that there will be justice will be done (Rev 22:12). A Kingdom was brought to the earth through our sympathetic High Priest (Heb 4:14-16) and a day is coming when His and our Father will come and wipe every tear away (Rev 21:4).

I know that this was a tad bit lengthy but with this I wish you a merry and blessed Christmas. May the peace and love of God which go beyond comprehension encounter and guard you and your family. Take heed, justice is coming and we truly do have a good King!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good stuff!

Anonymous said...

Hehe... GI Joe... Rock on, soldier!

Adam