I am not usually a big "Christmas" person. I prefer not to decorate (don't know why), I don't particularly care for a Christmas tree (messy things, and I keep forgetting to add water to the stand), and I really don't like hanging Christmas lights on the house (had a bad fall off a ladder several years ago, and I know a fall off the roof would hurt a lot more). But, I do enjoy the Christmas season. I just prefer to observe it quietly. I prefer to talk to others about what Christmas is really all about.
There are some well-meaning Christians who object to observing Christmas because it is not commanded in the Scriptures, it is a carryover from the traditions of Rome which were done away with by the Reformation, and it has become a crassly commercialized enterprise. Surprisingly to myself, I agree with all of the objections as rooted in fact, but I think my brothers and sisters who hold the opinion that Christians should not observe Christmas are, if I may politely and respectfully say this, wrongheaded in this matter.
That Christmas has become a crassly commercialized enterprise is indisputable. I observed the first Christmas decorations in stores just as managers were removing the Halloween displays on November first. Economists and retailers have been keenly watching Christmas sales figures, trying to detect a faint glow of consumer confidence in the economy. And they weren't disappointed. Sales figures from retailers on Friday, November 29, 2009, indicates that sales were up one-half of one percent over last year on the same day. That may not seem like much, certainly not like the 3 percent increase of 2008, but times are tough. Retailers brought out bigger sales sooner, enticing consumers to buy. This tactic has not done anything to allay our cynicism.
The Roman church has for centuries elevated the authority of tradition to equal that of Scripture, and in many cases they exceed the authority of the Scripture. In either case, it is an abomination. As a former Roman Catholic, I sympathize with objection. Midnight mass on Christmas Day (a mandatory holy day) was always my favorite because I either had to interrupt the gleeful expression of my self-centered concentration while opening presents (when I was younger), or I could sleep in on Christmas Day (when I was older). In retrospect, it didn't really matter either way because in all the years I attended Roman Catholic services, I never heard the gospel, except from one priest. He lasted two weeks in the parish and then was whisked off somewhere that I imagined was cold, dark, and far away. His name was never mentioned in polite company, except in hushed tones. I thought he had left the priesthood and gotten married, which was the biggie. While I am now a son of the Reformation and not of Rome, the complaint that Christmas observance is a holdover Roman tradition doesn't sway me very much. The Reformers gave the gospel back to us. It was and still is absent from Rome.
The objection that Christmas observance is not expressly found in the Scriptures is true enough, but there is sufficient evidence in the Scriptures that the birth of King Jesus was observed and the cause of great worship and thanksgiving. The angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds in a field outside Bethlehem and then began glorifying God. The shepherds responded by seeking out this newborn King and praising and glorifying God. Wise men from the East came seeking the newborn King of the Jews, and then worshiped him. Then there is good old Simeon, who blessed God when he held the Consolation of Israel, and faithful Anna who gave thanks to God and spoke to all who had been looking for the redemption of Israel.
Likewise, I think we have sufficient warrant to give thanks to God, both as individuals and as a people, a covenant people. With each unfolding of the covenant, the proper response of God's people has been worship and new songs of celebration. We have sufficient warrant and precedent to worship God because the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Since we now behold the glory of the Father in the face of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should gather to worship and worship robustly.
Have a blessed Christmas.
There are some well-meaning Christians who object to observing Christmas because it is not commanded in the Scriptures, it is a carryover from the traditions of Rome which were done away with by the Reformation, and it has become a crassly commercialized enterprise. Surprisingly to myself, I agree with all of the objections as rooted in fact, but I think my brothers and sisters who hold the opinion that Christians should not observe Christmas are, if I may politely and respectfully say this, wrongheaded in this matter.
That Christmas has become a crassly commercialized enterprise is indisputable. I observed the first Christmas decorations in stores just as managers were removing the Halloween displays on November first. Economists and retailers have been keenly watching Christmas sales figures, trying to detect a faint glow of consumer confidence in the economy. And they weren't disappointed. Sales figures from retailers on Friday, November 29, 2009, indicates that sales were up one-half of one percent over last year on the same day. That may not seem like much, certainly not like the 3 percent increase of 2008, but times are tough. Retailers brought out bigger sales sooner, enticing consumers to buy. This tactic has not done anything to allay our cynicism.
The Roman church has for centuries elevated the authority of tradition to equal that of Scripture, and in many cases they exceed the authority of the Scripture. In either case, it is an abomination. As a former Roman Catholic, I sympathize with objection. Midnight mass on Christmas Day (a mandatory holy day) was always my favorite because I either had to interrupt the gleeful expression of my self-centered concentration while opening presents (when I was younger), or I could sleep in on Christmas Day (when I was older). In retrospect, it didn't really matter either way because in all the years I attended Roman Catholic services, I never heard the gospel, except from one priest. He lasted two weeks in the parish and then was whisked off somewhere that I imagined was cold, dark, and far away. His name was never mentioned in polite company, except in hushed tones. I thought he had left the priesthood and gotten married, which was the biggie. While I am now a son of the Reformation and not of Rome, the complaint that Christmas observance is a holdover Roman tradition doesn't sway me very much. The Reformers gave the gospel back to us. It was and still is absent from Rome.
And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.Luke 2:8-20
The objection that Christmas observance is not expressly found in the Scriptures is true enough, but there is sufficient evidence in the Scriptures that the birth of King Jesus was observed and the cause of great worship and thanksgiving. The angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds in a field outside Bethlehem and then began glorifying God. The shepherds responded by seeking out this newborn King and praising and glorifying God. Wise men from the East came seeking the newborn King of the Jews, and then worshiped him. Then there is good old Simeon, who blessed God when he held the Consolation of Israel, and faithful Anna who gave thanks to God and spoke to all who had been looking for the redemption of Israel.
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart In peace, according to Thy word; For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, A light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people Israel." And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--and a sword will pierce even your own soul-- to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.Luke 2:25-38
Likewise, I think we have sufficient warrant to give thanks to God, both as individuals and as a people, a covenant people. With each unfolding of the covenant, the proper response of God's people has been worship and new songs of celebration. We have sufficient warrant and precedent to worship God because the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Since we now behold the glory of the Father in the face of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should gather to worship and worship robustly.
Have a blessed Christmas.
No comments:
Post a Comment