Beginning of Christmas explored
Scripture reading: Genesis 1:1-13. Text: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, OUT OF YOU WILL COME for me one who will be ruler over Israel, WHOSE ORIGINS ARE FROM OF OLD, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 During the third week in Advent we wish to get closer to Christmas by having a better understanding of the beginning as far as our spiritual life is concerned. This meditation will become meaningful only if people will perceive what was intended to be conveyed.
OUR THINKING IS DEFINITELY INFLUENCED BY THE PRODUCTS WE BUY AND USE.
We cannot say that our thinking is 100 percent pure and objective. We are influenced by the world where we live, work and socialize.
When we realize that our thinking is not exactly objective, then two questions pop up: What affects most our thinking, and how persuasive is this influence? Please do not tell, what we hear on the TV and read in the paper do not touch our mind.
There are modern conveniences that definitely sway our thinking, namely the availability of the instant, precut, prefab and ready-to-use products. No doubt there is great advantage buying merchandise that we do not have to prepare. A mother told her daughter while grocery shopping: “put that box back, you have to cook.’
However, this convenience may adversely affect the concept of the beginning. Since today, especially in the city, we do not start from scratch the food we consume or the products we use, we lost the idea and the importance of the beginning and the process that follows.
We are not familiar with the first step, namely, start with the basics, research and development, experiment, thus we became used to buying and using what has been already prepared for us. Had the American Indians gone shopping for ready-to-eat food?
ADVENT IS THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH YEAR AND OUR RENEWED COMMITMENTS.
As we try to get rid of the false influences and look closer at the question: “WHERE DID IT BEGIN?’ we should arrive at God’s mighty act, the creation. It all started by God and with God!
The three wise men and the shepherds had a great achievement when they had been willing to travel to see the Newborn King, however, we neither see the star nor hear the angelic proclamation and we have heard the Christmas story so many times.
Although the Christmas narrative, described by Matthew and Luke is more descriptive, what John had recorded is more meaningful for the educated people: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. Also Galatians 4:4-5. We can see the issue better through this alternative: “Did God begin for men to continue it, or did men start for God to finish it?”
In our spiritual life, we must start from the very beginning. Each of us should come to the very basic realization of our helplessness as Apostle Paul had done: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:24-25.
God had come close to mankind in his Son to promise, regardless how small the beginning was in Bethlehem, his forgiveness and our salvation if we accept them by faith. Please follow the line from the manger to the empty tomb.
There might be symbolic coincidence in the fact that the New-Born King can prepare us for the NEW YEAR since Christmas is just before Jan. 1. Can our spiritual renewal be also included among our new year’s resolutions?
The whole universe finds its beginning in God, however, our heavenly Father made it clear that the beginning of our spiritual life and the end of our earthly existence are embedded in Jesus Christ, since only his words are recorded in this way: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 21:6. Let us prepare ourselves for His arrival.
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The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.