God Will Be With You: The Christmas Story

The Christmas Story:

Mark launches his Gospel with a quote from Malachi 3:1: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Mark 1:1-3)

This verse concern the coming of Yahweh back to his people after the long spiritual exile that began with the Babylonian Captivity of 588 BCE. Following the destruction of the Temple of Yahweh built by Solomon in Jerusalem, Yahweh was seen to have departed from it and abandoned his people to their sins. In the first century CE, the Jews were still eagerly waiting for Yahweh to return and doing so under the rule of the conquering Roman Empire. When Mark cites this verse he is specifically stating that Yahweh is returning in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Christ. What does the angel Gabriel say the nickname of Jesus will be? “They will call him ‘Immanuel’ (which means God with us’).” (Matthew 1:23).

Ominously, the verse in Malachi is followed with the warning “But who can endure the day of his coming?” (3:2)

The coming of Yahweh in the person and work of Jesus was a time of both liberation and judgment. Look at what the Christmas story states:

“Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed.” (Luke 2:34)

“He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and sent away the rich empty-handed.” (Luke 1:51-53)

No wonder King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. The Christmas story is a highly political account of God inaugurating the Kingdom with Jesus, threatening all other kings, rulers, and governments.

Part of Jesus’ message was to the rulers, elders, scholars, and priests. He was telling them that the long awaited hope of Israel had arrived. Yahweh was returning to his people ... but they were missing it! Jesus was telling the priests and elders (the ministers and pastors of his day) that God was acting now … and you’d better get on the same page. This was now the time to get right, to shake off egos, to abandon personal kingdoms … before it’s too late.

Christmas is a time for people in authority (businessmen, governments, and pastors) to ask themselves if they are behaving in their respective positions in the way God wants them to behave. If they are not, now is the time to get with Gods’ agenda and not your own. Otherwise …

God will be with you.

Putting Christ Back in Christmas

Ah, Christmas! The most wonderful time of the year. The time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Just think of the lovely manger scene with the cute, cuddly baby, the chubby cherubs, and the little lambs looking up in awe at the holy scene. Mary, did you know? Did you know? What were your thoughts about God working through your son?

“He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and sent away the rich empty-handed.” (Luke 1:51-53)

Well! Surely, that’s the labor pains talking, Mary. And the smell of the donkeys. What about you, Simeon? You held the infant Jesus. Did you feel the warm tidings of peace, goodwill, mistletoe, and presents under the tree? What went through your mind?

“Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed.” (Luke 2:34)

Uh … well, your old, Simeon and old people are grouchy. Don’t be a Scrooge. This is a time for peace on earth and good will towards men. Set them straight, Jesus.

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34)

Look, what’s the matter with everyone? This is Christmas time! It’s a time for Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands! It’s about candles and lights and manger scenes. It’s about Jingle Bells! You know, deck them halls and all that stuff. You know, Santa Claus and ho-ho-ho and mistletoe and presents to pretty girls.

To hear them talk you would think that the focus of Christmas should be about God radically breaking into the world in the purpose and mission of Christ the anointed king and not just simply the holy birth of Jesus and presents. Christmas is a merry season. A feeling. It’s about sitting by the fire, holding a cup of cocoa with two massive marshmallows while the snow falls outside and carolers sing "O Tannenbaum" accompanied by a small brass band. It’s a feeling. A good feeling. It’s good news.

Yes, yes, there is all that stuff in the Bible about the Good News of the coming of the Kingdom of God, and the coming of justice and hope for the poor, but this is jolly Christmas time! Christmas is supposed to be happy occasion. It’s not supposed to be deeply and thoroughly political.  It’s not supposed to be about the redemption of Israel and of the nation and the coming of God’s kingdom on earth.

Yes, glory to the newborn king, but this is not the time to emphasize a king who is going to uproot the nations and establish his rule and dominance upon the governments of the world. That won’t play in Peoria. Christmas is a time of coming together. Let’s invite the kings of this earth to celebrate the baby Jesus. As the Bible says:

“Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” (Matthew 2:8)

See? With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when friends come to call it's the hap- happiest season of all. Let’s not be overtly or uncomfortably political … Unless someone tells you “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” … then just lay into them. Let’s put the Christ (Χριστός) back in Christmas (Χ-mas).