What's the Big Deal about Christmas?
“What’s the big deal about Christmas, anyway,” Becky asked rather bluntly. She and I had been good friends since elementary school. Becky’s family never attended church, but lately she’s tagged along with us. As we’ve came closer to Christmas, however, Becky’s grown agitated. “I hear that this isn’t even the time of year Jesus was really born,” she said over lunch after church.
While it is true that we don’t know the actual birthday of Jesus, that was not Becky’s issue. Perhaps you, too, are struggling this year to find joy in this season. Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed by the condition of our world and wondering what difference does Christmas make, anyway? As I pondered how best to respond to my friend, I was reminded of one of my favorite Christmas passages, the first chapter of John which is also called the nativity narrative. Although it doesn’t contain the usual angels, shepherds, kings, and a manger, it nevertheless tells of God’s entry into a dark world.
It begins with these words: “In the beginning….” It goes on to explain that it was with the Word that God spoke all things into creation; with this Word light was separated from darkness, land was separated from sea, and creatures of every kind were created, including man and woman. This very life-giving Word that was present at the beginning of time --- the very essence of the Creator God--- entered the created world on that first Christmas. The Life-Giver was now sent to give life and light to those who were in darkness and who could not comprehend the new beginning that was now before them.
Looking back with John, we now know that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, were there at the beginning as God spoke the Word and breathed the Breath of Life into the lungs of humankind. In looking back, we add new meaning and new understanding to the creation story. As we look forward with John into the newness of life begun that first Christmas, we find meaning and purpose in our future. Because of Christmas we are not without hope as so many are today. Because of Christmas we know it is not up to us (thank God, because we make a mess of everything), and because of Christmas we can have joy that is not tied to our circumstances. Just as the Son of God was born into a world that did not recognize him, we who are born of God come into being by faith, and as we do, God shines through us into the world that is still looking for its purpose.
I had my answer for Becky. I opened my Bible and read to her from the Book of John:
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. (1-4 NIV)
God became one of us on that first Christmas so we could know the Joy that only comes from knowing God personally. God with us and in us --- that is what we celebrate. This is why we sing Joy to the World! It is not just a word we hang on a stocking—that one word summarizes the whole reason for Christmas.
“I think I get it…Christmas is our slice of heaven on earth.” Becky said with a smile on her face. Hugging her I added, “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Are you agitated or frustrated with life right now? Is your focus more on the things that aren’t right with the world, rather than on Christmas cheer?
Have you read and pondered the Nativity narrative in the Book of John? If not, look it up and ask God to give you fresh insight.
What can you do to help yourself focus on the Joy of Christmas rather than the frustrations of the world?