Understanding the Holy Day behind the Holiday.
Scripture reading: Luke 1:26-38. Text: “Beyond all question, THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS IS GREAT: HE (JESUS) APPEARED IN A BODY, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16. I assume you also read or heard this title for a Christmas sermon: “The true meaning of Christmas.” This title presupposes two things: the majority of the people are unaware of the true meaning of Christ’s birth, and that the preacher is in the possession of this secret. I never dared to use this title, however, may I ask you to come along and let us see what separates the commercial from the spiritual, the usual from the unique and the overbearing from the uplifting. While every pastor wishes to touch the hearts of the worshippers during Christmas season, the challenge is there to communicate the divine mystery of incarnation to human intelligence; yet we feel that this task is almost beyond our abilities.
WHAT ARE BEHIND OUR CHRISTMAS JOY AND CELEBRATION?
– THE NICE GIFTS WE OPEN WITH GREAT SURPRISE. Especially the children are surprised that Santa Clause received their letters and granted their wishes. On the other hand, as you come to the church you will hear the same old story from the Gospels. There is not any surprise for the adults in the Christmas worship service even when the true meaning of Christmas is promised. Rather our faith, tradition, and being with our loved ones bring us to the church.
– The COMMERCIALIZED gift giving and the profit generated by it. The generosity: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” John 3:16, cannot be reciprocated by us with a matching present. Our gift-giving love only partially reflects that divine affection that gave his only begotten Son. The decorated windows do not reflect either the simplicity of the manger in Bethlehem.
– It is said that Christmas is the holiday of love. Without any doubt the happiness of the family celebrating together, especially when three or four generations are involved, is very heartwarming, and we feel the SENTIMENTAL nature of this holiday. Yet we wish that everybody would sense the SPIRITUAL meaning of Christ’s birth as well. Please read our text how Apostle Paul had summarized the major events of Jesus’ life in his first letter written to Timothy. Can we see through the Christmas light the radiation of the empty tomb Easter morning?
– The other nature of Christmas is that it has become the HOLIDAY OF THE FAMILY. Somehow we like to NARROW the celebration of Christmas centering it on our beloved ones, while on the other hand, GOD WANTS TO WIDEN the consequences of Jesus birth, as Titus had written: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11. Please read also Acts of Apostles 1:8.
– WE LIKE TO BEHOLD the beautiful decorations; should they be seen in the sanctuary, in stores, private homes and public places, our senses are gratified with the beauty of the Christmas trees and the sweet tastes of the holiday delicacies, yet these are not the most important. What makes Christmas a true holiday is the INVISIBLE divine love through which we become adopted children of our heavenly Father: “he (God) predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” Ephesians 1:5.
– We receive gifts that can be used IMMEDIATELY, just ask the children how long are they willing to wait to play with the new toys? God, on the other hand, had not promised any reward that will be ours within days. His purpose is – is it has been through ages – our salvation. Please read John 3:16.
Let our Christmas joy and celebration lead us beyond the sparkling decorations, nicely packaged gifts, and the special holiday meals to the invisible, divine, spiritual gift, through which we receive forgiveness and redemption. The seal and guarantee of this divine grace is the New Born King lying in the manger.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.