I wrote recently about how commercialization and political correctness have obscured the fact that Christmas is about the fact that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, that he came to bring salvation to men. We forget about the Baby in the manger, whom sheperds, wise men, and even angels came to see.
With that said, there is danger for us in focusing so much on the Baby Jesus. That danger is, specifically, that we will only think of Him as a baby. A baby is harmless, cute, manageable. But this baby was different - this baby was God. Paul tells us who He was in Colossians 1:
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
1 comment:
i would say it is not only "political correctness." In fact, I think PC has very little to do with the negativity attached to Christmas.
The church, in a desire to be non-confrontational to the power structures of the world (America in general) is just as culpible.
We have forgotten the truly radical nature of the Incarnation and the Birth of Jesus.
I am reminded of Mary's song, which, when sung at church only contains the first 2 verses. We forget that part of the Christmas message, muddled by the church and commercial culture is...
"His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their throne but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty..."
That is not a message the church is eager to present to the powers it seeks recognition from. It is not a message we want to present to people we want giving to our causes and giving us a loud voice in government and society.
We complain all the time about the commercialization of Christmas and do little to change the conversation to something that is truly powerful.
Some days I say, along with many who have come before me, "let the pagans have the holiday."
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