(It
sounds suspiciously similar to “Silent
Night,” but we don’t want to confuse the
children.)
How
the simple story of Jesus’ birth can be
so controversial is a mystery to me. I
suppose Christians
bring it on themselves by trying to celebrate
Christ and capitalism on the same day.
Whether
Jesus gets a kick out our massive celebrations
or not, I don’t know. He didn’t tell us
to remember his birth, but rather his
death, resurrection, and return. And I’m
quite convinced our massive materialistic
mayhem looks more to him like money‑worship
than Christ‑worship.
Maybe
Jesus would just as soon be left out of
the whole thing.
Speaking
for myself, I love the Christmas season
despite its faults. I love the carols
played in the marketplace. I love the
good cheer spread around to strangers
and friends. I love the idea of families
gathering together.
Mostly
though, I marvel at the reality of the
Incarnation (God living in human skin).
As I’ve written before, the uniqueness
of Christianity among other religious
and philosophic points of view is found
in the idea the God is personal as well
as powerful, and that this was demonstrated
when God entered human history at a specific
point in time through the person of Jesus
Christ.
You
see, Christians don’t just celebrate a
religious ideal, they celebrate a real
person. They don’t wish for a vague “peace
on earth,” but worship a specific “Prince
of Peace.” For Christianity is not merely
a creed to affirm, a club to join, or
a code to follow. Any religion or philosophy
offers these things. What Christianity
offers is absolutely unique: a Christ
to worship.
To
me, that’s something worth celebrating.
The Magi did it first: having followed
the star in the East, “they fell down
and worshiped him.”
Consider
the irony: When Jesus was born, God allowed
astrology, an art expressly forbidden
in Scripture, to announce Christ’s birth
to pagan philosophers.
On
second thought, maybe God is less offended
by the materialism of the season than
I am. Apparently, whatever helps point
people to Jesus is just fine by him. And
so it is with me.
Merry
Christmas!
