Do we really want Christ back in Krismas? Like, REALLY?
I purposely
spell ‘Krismas’ as what the whole world celebrates today - both from
inside and outside the religious umbrella - is clearly celebrated in Kris’
fashion. (If you are from the Philippines, you know what I am talking about).
Or at a global sense, it may be the Kris Kringle or the Krispy Kremes. Even a
no-brainer can figure out that all the hype has nothing to do with Christ.
Countless
attempts to revisit the roots of the celebration by focusing on any of the following are
made: the virgin birth, the drama of an eternal King born in the humblest
scenes ever, more-hallelujahs-than-ho-ho-ho-hos-campaigns, hope coming, the
Incarnation of the Word. While all of these are the strongest of foundations,
it would not hurt us to change glasses.
By that, I
mean changing perspectives- that is, towards the biblical perspective.
We can never
isolate the zero B.C. Christmas story from the complete good news (gospel) which peaks at the resurrection, and is far
from over as it presently works in the saints.
Think.
And think
more.
The call to a
spiritual birth is a celebration of a spiritual life. Yet, it simultaneously it
would mean death to the old self. Most often, we focus on the old self as
rules of engagement regulated by morality, leading our brains to perceive that
it is defeated by becoming more upright and moral.
A shift of
sights to the word death gives a more honest, uncomfortable, and brutal
perspective. How can we understate death? We can not. It is beyond discomfort
or pain - it is simply death. There is nothing marketable with it.This is where
biblical Christianity, sown by the first Christmas, is headed - our daily death
through the cross. We live through Christ, but must die to Adam’s seed.
Yes, we need
milestones. That’s us being humans - we need monuments to remind us, because we
are a forgetful, ungrateful, insensitive lot. We are easily amused that is why
we need to mark seasons. Christmas should remind us of the hope that has come.
But to stay forever gazing at the monumental baby in the manger may be pure
nostalgia, or worse - blatant amusement with unnecessary drama. The baby grew
up in stature, defied man made inventions and philosophies, breathed grace and
judgement, healed, brought the dead back to life, taught, loved, championed the
kingdom of his Father, was crucified and resurrected as the King of kings.
I don’t want
to overstate this and come across as Scrooging. “Christ back in
Christmas” is common tagline, a
rather catchy phrase fueling sermons, blogs, advertising, campaign, etc. Sadly,
we are all contaminated. Admit it or not, we love to hint on having “Christ
back in Christmas” but would rather discuss in length the preparations, the
gifts, the travels, the deluge of food and merry making. No, these are not evil
things per se, but please:
Let us not
equate it with Christmas.
Unless we want
to remain undisturbed with our inventions, we’d better not invite Him for the
seasons. We may witness a re-enactment of Christ’s rampage, in the same manner
he turned over tables and drove out the merchandisers and animals from His
Father’s house.
I’d rather you
greet me happy holidays. But do greet me Merry Christmas if you truly
wish Christ’s work be completed in me through grace, love, discipline, trials and even rebuke.
And with that,
I truly wish you all a Merry Christmas.
Note: Farewell to Inventions is Tiano Beto's theme for his creative outlets for 2015, whichever is applicable.
