In November I entered a department store and saw a sign that read something to the effect that because they believe in celebrating one holiday at a time there would be no Christmas decorations up until after Thanksgiving. That was nice, I liked that. Christmas can grow so out of control, most of us would rather not see the decorations come out after Halloween. I commend this store for taking a unique stance when it comes to the holidays and commercial interests.
At this time of year, our attention is directed to the manger in Bethlehem. Surrounded by barn animals, Mother Mary is rocking the baby Jesus. Joseph tends the fire. Wise Men from the East come bearing gifts. It’s a cozy scene, special in the hearts of Christians. Revisiting this scene each year at Christmas rekindles our faith.
The weeks preceding Christmas are known as the season of Advent. During this time, certain themes are emphasized in worship in anticipation of Christmas*:
- hope
- darkness / light
- repentance
- watchfulness
- preparation
- expectation of the incarnation of Christ on Christmas
- anticipation of the fullness of time at Christ’s second coming
Each week we consider what the advent (means “arrival”) of the Christ-child brings. Each week identifies a different aspect of who this baby Jesus will be when he grows into adulthood. What follows is a verse from the readings for each Sunday in Advent:
26Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. Mark 13:26-27 (Jesus talking about his return).
8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. Mark 1: 8 (John the Baptist talking about Jesus).
26John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” John 1:26-27 (John the Baptist talking about Jesus).
32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. Luke 1:32-33 (Mary, about her Son, said to the angel Gabriel upon the news that she will conceive a child).
A composite portrait of Christ from these verses indicate he’ll reign forever, baptizing with the Holy Spirit. Even a man of esteem as high as John the Baptist says he is not worthy to even take off his shoes. Someday he’ll return riding in on clouds with power and glory, sending his angels out to gather his people. Big Stuff…
A big Christmas in the cultural sense of the word means a big tree, loaded with presents, lots of decorations, with plenty of food. But Christmas in the theological sense, that is as it relates to God, is much bigger, broader, and more all-encompassing than a brief stop at a cozy manger scene in December after which we move on to New Year’s. It is God entering the world stage in-the-flesh. That’s why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus, Emmanuel – “God is with us” is our savior. The stakes are big here. Everything is affected: humanity, creation, the heavens and the earth, Jesus’s birth has a major impact on it all, this present from God whose loves transforms and saves.
Christmas is big. Jesus being born is a metaphysical game-changer. Advent is our time to anticipate the immensity of Jesus’ mission and scope. Christmas is time to celebrate its significance; Jesus being born into the world and into our very lives.
In the Spirit of the Season,
Pastor Jason Talsness
*For more information on the Season of Advent, see http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Planning/Advent.aspx.
Posted December 5, 2011 by Amazing Grace Lutheran Church | Pastors Corner | Permalink |
