Christmas Musings #7 Disregarding the Cost

 ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 English Standard Version

               A few years ago, the song “Reckless Love” burst on the worship scene, and quickly ignited a vigorous debate about the theological underpinnings of the song. And while I never minded singing the song, many I knew found it objectionable, refusing to either sing it during worship or include it in a worship service. I understand the theological objection stemming from the idea that an all-knowing, all-powerful God could be reckless. But I wonder. As I consider the incarnation it seems that from a human point of view at least, God behaves in a somewhat reckless fashion.

               During Christmas, the advent season, we celebrate God become flesh. In Philippians Paul says that Jesus “did not count.” The word reckless comes from a middle English word, recchen, defined as “to care, heed, have a mind, or be concerned about.” Paul reminds us that Jesus did not care for being equal to God. In the incarnation, Jesus poured himself out. Of course, I’m not a trained theologian and unable, in a few short lines, to adequately address the intricacies of the incarnation. But I do meditate on what Jesus becoming a human babe means, and find this challenging subject very worthwhile. Jesus set aside all the glorifying aspects of divinity, the things that make God unapprehensible so I might apprehend, take hold of Him and somehow find salvation. God drew near, becoming flesh to save me from myself.

               We admire and label as courageous those who disregard the cost and race into danger to save the helpless. Jesus knew the cost and chose not to consider it. He did not reckon equality as something important. So when I gaze into the manger, I’m looking at a savior who set aside all the perks of position so He might be apprehensible.

               As an officer in the Army, I attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, proving that if you stay in long enough and do not die on a deployment somewhere, they will promote just about anyone. I was superior in rank to the majority of other officers, NCOs, and soldiers in the Army. The Army is a hierarchical organization, so this does not really make a comment about me, there are many Lieutenant Colonels in the ranks, but many more inhabit the lower ranks. But those subordinate in rank had to salute and comply with my lawfully given orders. I freely admit that I took a certain amount of pleasure in my position. Starting off as a private and working my way up the ladder, it was kind of nice to enjoy a little recognition. Of course, working in proximity to very senior officers and generals had a way of keeping me grounded. But still, I relished the glinting silver oak-leaves. Jesus did not.

               In the light of the incarnation, the advent, Jesus was reckless. Of course, as an omniscient being, knowing the end from the beginning presents serious philosophical challenges. But during Christmas, I set those aside and focus on the breathtaking reality of God becoming one of us; even to the point of being an infant. As Paul says, He did not consider equality with God being worth holding on to. At the core, Christmas is about setting aside perks and privileges to help the weak and lost stumbling about in darkness.

              

 

Christmas Musings #6 Operational Zeal

 ⁷ Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:7 English Standard Version

“Well, I think it’s stupid. You’re about to go some place where there are men who will try and kill you, and you think it’s a good thing. I think it’s stupid.”

Christy sat on our bed in Medenbach, Germany, watching as I packed my ruck for deployment to the invasion of Iraq the next morning. I had tried to explain it to her; but, there was no changing her mind, or mine for that matter. I’d been in the Army for fifteen years, and aside from a short deployment to Kosovo, had never really deployed to combat. Now at last, I had my chance to put all my years of training and experience to the test. Needless to say, I was quite excited, zealous in fact. I would not head out for future deployments with the same zeal. After the first deployment, I knew first-hand the peril and the wounds spiritual and mental armed combat brings. I would go without dragging my feet and willingly complete my assigned mission; however, experience diminished the zeal. When Jesus faced His deployment, He like any good soldier, did so with zeal.

The Marriam-Webster dictionary defines zeal as: eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something : FERVOR. Jesus approached His incarnation and time as one of us, knuckle-dragging Cro-Magnons, with zeal. He wanted to come. He eagerly sought out this chance to do His father’s bidding. Hebrews 12:2 puts it this way, “² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” For the joy set before Him! Jesus approached all of His human experience with joy. This is why, at its core, advent is a joyous time. We celebrate the advent of the Christ, and He set the example.

Jesus did not come to earth dragging His heavenly feet. He came with zeal, ardor, enthusiasm, with joy. Our redeemer longed to bring in His lost sheep, and willingly came into our darkness to do so. Often when facing an unpleasant, but important task, I moan and complain about my sorry lot. This is unlike Jesus. Deployment to a combat zone is tough. I went from May until October without a hot shower. I bathed out of a bucket. I got very little sleep, about three or four hours a night when I got sleep. I wore two uniforms for a year, wash one wear one. I found out that getting shot at, IED’d, rocketed, and mortared was not fun. I had to do things that still give me the chills, and I saw things I’d like to forget. But I did all of that without changing who I am. I remained Matt Robinson, human being. It was different for Jesus. His deployment came with an incredible transformation, the incarnation. In the next few days we will look at this wild spiritual transformation, an act that still defies easy comprehension. But for today, let us think on the fact that Jesus moved from heaven to earth with great zeal. He took on this mission with joy. He set aside His glory to save us with great ardor. So when we celebrate advent, we’re joining Him in a joyful celebration.

Christmas Musings #5 Time Travel

 ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” John 8:56 English Standard Version

               Advent calls us to slip the bonds of our human concept of linear time and participate in a sort of time-travel. We do this through faith, as did Abraham. I’ve always been a fan of science-fiction, being a “Trekie” before being a “Trekie” was cool. I’m such a geek that my brother wisely looks upon any of my recommendations for a science-fiction movie with narrowed eyes. He knows through long experience that I do not discriminate much when it comes to science-fiction. I pretty much like it all. So, when scripture points out that through God I can see from afar and in some ephemeral fashion participate, I’m all in.

               So, each Advent season, I join Abraham and other faithful and view Advent up close and personal despite my linear time distance. Of course, I exist some two-thousand years after advent. I’m not talking about some mystical out-of-body experience…I don’t think. Each Christmas, as the day draws near, I spend more and more time in the environs of that small Judean hamlet. I read and consider all the events leading up to the incarnation and birth of Jesus. I join with the host of believers, some looking forward with others looking back. Together we make the trek to Bethlehem to worship the newborn king.

               While scripture does not call us to a specific feast or day dedicated to celebrating the birth of Jesus, it does encourage us to contemplate the importance of the incarnation. Through the incarnation God comes near, fulfilling a journey started long before the Lord spoke the world into existence. “³ And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 These words set of a chain of events that culminate in a humble birth in a quiet backwater hamlet and ultimately in an empty tomb. All this that I might enjoy a new life here and in the hereafter.

               So yes in a very special way, each year I engage in mental and spiritual time-travel. I look back and wonder how and why. How could God compress Himself into the form of a small baby? How could He divest Himself of all that power and glory, accepting the limitations of an infant boy? More importantly, why? Why would He place so much value on me? Why make such a long journey just to save this miserable wretch? Why would He choose such a lowly birth and life? He embraced a birth attended by shepherds. Sometime later, He did receive a group of magi, who brought gifts, worshiped, and then left. The creator and sustainer of the universe chose to live thirty years or so in obscurity, ignored by the very people He came to save. He worked as a carpenter, or craftsman, not an especially glamorous occupation; yet, surprisingly apropos for a being of such astounding creative ability and force. Such improbable events bear deep contemplation. What am I to make of this? So, each year I make the trek. I sit on a stony hillside and marvel at the angelic host. I go to the stable and wonder at the unbelievable birth of the Christ-Child, who set aside all for me. I invite you to take a pause in the mad rush of contemporary Christmas and join me in quiet observation of such amazing events of long ago.

Christmas Musings #4 Timing is Everything

 ⁴ But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5 English Standard Version

               My father loved Christmas, especially Christmas music; however, he reveled in the entire season. During Christmas we enjoyed the only legitimate Robinson worship service skip days. Shortly after Thanksgiving, we would take one Wednesday evening to go and purchase a Christmas tree. Dad always insisted on a real tree. Only late in life when my mother developed serious allergies would Dad acquiesce and purchase an artificial tree. Then some time later we would gather with extremely close family friends, the Harpers and the Thompsons and enjoy a meal together, a devotional focused on the incarnation, and a small gift exchange; always held on a Wednesday. Dad would never celebrate Christmas early or late. He insisted on celebrating on December the twenty-fifth, and we always opened gifts on Christmas day, not Christmas Eve. It was his way of making the season special. Now do not get me wrong, he did not insist on believing that Jesus was actually born on the twenty-fifth of December. He just enjoyed celebrating the season and relished the anticipation. As the narrator of the movie, “A Christmas Story,” says, “The kid year revolved around Christmas.” Dad imbibed in all of the elements the season and for him, and now me, timing is everything.

               I start earlier. Usually, Christmas music makes an appearance right around Halloween. We trim our tree and decorate the house right after Thanksgiving. If at all possible, we open gifts on December the twenty-fifth; but, life in the military and other familial concerns have made me flexible regarding that. I let my season linger longer, necessitating an artificial tree to avoid an extreme fire hazard. In many ways, my year still revolves around Christmas. It represents many good things, but especially the advent of the Christ. I luxuriate in the splendid timing the advent demonstrates.

               Jesus did not show up in some haphazard way. He did not get up one morning and say, “I think I’ll become human today.” Scripture tells us that when the fullness of time had come. The time was just right. Truly, the stars were aligned just right. The wise men showed up…more about that some other day. My salvation, your salvation, our salvation, the world’s salvation was not left to mere chance. God orchestrated all things so that they would work out according to His plan. I Peter 1:20 indicates that God laid this plan down before He spoke the world into existence. And like the little boy growing up in Abilene, Texas, all the prophets and sages waited, trembling in great anticipation for the day, that great day of unveiling.

               Dad knew what I did not, that a joy eagerly anticipated is much sweeter for the waiting. I learned that waiting for the right time brings its own rewards. Jesus came at just the right time and the moment of His arrival was glorious. So glorious, the angels had to sing, the stars had to shine, the wise men had to come, and the shepherds had to share. The wait was over, God came close, and salvation was nigh. So yes, I wait. I wait with joyful anticipation. He’s coming; the wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, the prince of peace. He’s coming all wrapped up in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Christmas Musing #3 A Great Light

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2

We are creatures that long to dwell in light. Aside from a few “night-owls,” we prefer daylight. It is easier to move about without problems, being able to see the pitfalls in front of us. For a while I served as a battalion S-4, or logistics officer. While out in the field, I was responsible for placing, manning, and operating the battalion logistics center, or ALOC. During one exercise, I placed the ALOC behind an old anti-tank ditch in order to help with defense. It seemed like a good idea to me. Late one night, the battalion commander dropped by for a visit. When he left, I offered him a ground-guide to get him out of the ALOC and onto the road. He refused the aid, not wanting to bother a soldier. A short time later, rather shaken, he returned to the ALOC with his driver. He’d become lost in the dark and stumbled into the anti-tank ditch in the dark moonless night. Knowing his driver would continue moving forward, he desperately crawled down the ditch narrowly avoiding getting crushed by his HMMWV when it pitched into the ditch. Lost in the dark, he stumbled into a very perilous situation. It took us the rest of the night to get his HMMWV out of the ditch and him back onto the road. 

Like my battalion commander, 0ur world stumbles along in the dark not knowing the impending danger bearing down on us. Each Christmas, I’m reminded of how failed our world is. Despite progress on various fronts, darkness still blights the landscape. People starve, children die in needless wars, and criminals lurk in the dark. All these things, and many more, still take place. But sadly, the greatest darkness exists inside our hearts. 

This interior darkness blinds us, making good decisions near impossible. Jesus came to shine His light into our darkness. The babe in Bethlehem brings His light into the world, helping us to see our hearts clearly. His light illuminates the brokenness of our hearts and the self-centered faulty decision making which plagues us all. He came to bring His light into a sad and broken world. His light informs our Christmas celebration. We festoon our houses, trees, and living rooms with lights. We refer to Christmas as the season of light. Intuitively we know that we exist in a world of darkness and that we need light. We find ourselves crawling down a ditch, desperately hoping to avoid being crushed by our own decisions. But we have hope. Jesus came to shine light into the darkness. He became man, was born in Bethlehem, and lived among men so that we might have hope of not spending our lives stumbling about, trapped in gloomy darkness. 

Christmas Musing #2 Something New

 

19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

I like new things. You like new things. The automotive, clothing, and technology industries depend upon our love of the new. The truck sitting in my drive works well. It is a bit worn. I purchased it new in 2004 after I returned from Iraq and have driven it for over 150,000 miles, and it still works the way it used to…with the exception of the heater and defroster. But I still look over the new trucks and want; until I look at the price tag that is. I find it hard to plunk down over $50,000 for a vehicle I’m going to throw things in. But, I still look. I like shiny new things. 

    This morning we festooned our house with Christmas decorations. We have some decorations that I made as a child. There is no lack of decorations for our house; however, every year we browse the isles of local stores looking for some new thing to put up in our house. Driving past the mall, I noted a full parking lot. Retailers build their business model counting on our desire for new things every year. To satiate that desire, we flock to the stores, cash in hand, ready to purchase the newest thing. In many ways, we’ve transformed the meaning of Christmas into an orgy of new things; yet, God still yearns to do new things in us.

    I do not know about you, but even at the age of sixty-two, I need new things, and I’m not speaking of my hairline. I still find areas of my life that need renewing. Ask Christy or my kids, and they will tell you that I still get unreasonably angry at times. I need renewal. Christmas comes with the promise of new things. In Isaiah 42, the prophet tells us about the coming savior and what kind of king he will be. He will be different. “The bruised reed he will not break, and the faintly burning wick he will not quench, he will faithfully bring forth justice,” Isaiah 42:3 Later on in the chapter he speaks of “new things.”

    That is the true hope of Christmas, this “new thing” God desires to bring about. Christmas reminds me that God is the master renewer. He longs to change me, to rebuild me, to renew my spirit. When I approach the manger, the light of the king shines on me, revealing those things that do not conform to His plan, those things I truly find shameful. But, I can trust Him. The bruised reed He will not break. Even though I may feel bruised and battered by this world, stained by my own failure, I can trust Him to renew me. The babe in the manger is the great new thing, the something different, the thing that I really down deep need. The new truck, the new technology, the new Christmas ornaments do not meet my true need for renewal. Jesus, the promised one, He meets my need for new. Bethlehem reminds me that the old has passed away and the truly new has come. 

Christmas Musing #1 Why I Need the Season

19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

I limit my news intake. I do not listen to podcasts. I do not watch broadcast news of any sort. I do not read blogs. I do not frequent radio talk-shows. I read one newspaper that I trust to provide a intelligently balanced viewpoint, though I do not always agree with it. I find that one source provides me enough information to be a reasonably informed individual. Normally, I can engage in an adult conversation with others without embarrassing myself. But even with that limited amount of news, I find myself pessimistic about the state of the world, which is why I need the holiday season and most especially Christmas.

I enjoy Thanksgiving, the season opener. Yesterday we gathered with family and shared the experience of a home-cooked feast. We all chipped in with our favorite family recipes and a new one or two. We engaged in pleasant conversation, catching up and reminiscing. Fortunately for me, we all know how to avoid baiting one another with vicious small-talk. This does not mean we always agree; however, we manage to enjoy each other without demanding conformity. We talk about the good things we are thankful for and share our blessings. All in all, it is a good time, a time that binds us more closely together. Today we started unpacking Christmas decorations and trimming the tree.

Decorating the house launches phase two of the Christmas operation. Last year we made the leap to an artificial tree; but, there still are certain cherished ornaments that we carefully unwrap and place in their traditional place. Years ago, Christy and I made our first tree-topper, a simple gold foil covered star. We’ve used it since then, moving it around the world with us. I cannot imagine a Christmas tree without that unimposing star. Tomorrow, we will trim the tree, drink eggnog, while we listen to favorite Christmas music. Afterwards, we will sit down and watch one of our favorite Christmas movies. But all these things mask a certain reality, in some ways it’s been a tough year for me.

I will not detail the issues that have come my way. They are not unusual; they are the things that everyone faces from time to time. In fact, compared to many others my problems are quite small and my life unfolds with a measured, predictable, and comfortable pace. We do not need to look far to find immense suffering and hardship. Our world creaks along with wars and rumors of wars. In the Middle East the Israelis and Palestinians are at it once again, and that conflict has roused passions, ill-will, divisions, and violence in our country. The Ukraine and Russia remain at war, slaughtering each other with reckless abandon. The earth itself seems out of control with glaciers melting, forests burning, oceans rising, and water-tables dropping. Some might even question why engage in Christmas celebrations.

I need Christmas. I need the annual journey to Bethlehem. The ancient prophet, speaking for God, wrote of a new thing. Read the entire passage and you will find that God repeatedly speaks of springs and rivers in the desert. In some ways, my soul seems stuck in a parched land. I see desolation, spiritual and physical, everywhere. Many close friends struggle with intractable problems. In my own life there are things that defy easy solutions. So, God speaks to me, reminding me that He does new things. Each Christmas as I make the journey to the small stable in a Judean hamlet, God reminds me; he does new things. He makes springs to rise up in the desert of my heart. I encourage you to join me in this reflective season. Let us think on the new things that God has done and continues to do.

Truthful Politicians

  Hot tears rolled down my cheeks, splattering on my hands and the toy cradled there. I sat alone in my parents’ bedroom, wishing things were different. I’d just spoken with my father, listened really since it was a one-way conversation. He’d discovered that I’d lied to him concerning a toy several times over a few days. A friend had given it to me and I, fearing that he would require me to return it, had insisted that I’d paid for it. He, knowing that I had very little cash, persisted in questioning and ultimately the truth came out. I expected serious punishment. Instead, he sat me down and talked about the importance of truth to all relationships and how disappointed he was. He left me sitting on his bed, holding the toy, and wishing he’d spanked me. It would be nice to be able to say that I never prevaricated again; however, that would not be true. Once destroyed, the habit of fidelity to the truth is hard to rebuild. That easy habit of shifting our story to suit our needs is pernicious and stubborn. Over time, I did rebuild the habit of truth-telling, but it was a long and personally painful process. I never forgot the “talk” and ensuing process. Later during my military career, I witnessed the importance of the truth.

I watched as subordinates, peers, and superiors shipwrecked their careers by falling into the habit of telling lies. My work required access to highly sensitive programs. On several occasions various coworkers would lie about personal matters, hoping to avoid embarrassment, only to find out that in the realm of military secrecy once breached faith and trust cannot be restored. Their careers in tatters, their only hope was that they had enough time in service to either retire or serve out their career in some inconsequential assignment, forever branded as untrustworthy. Fidelity to the truth is the foundation upon which all successful relationships, familial and professional, are built. An inability to tell the truth destroys faith and trust. Which is why I find our current political landscape dismaying. 

It is not the politicians that most disappoint me, though they do dishearten me. I find many friends and acquaintances willing to embrace the concept of a flexible truth. When engaged in a difficult conversation in which differences come up, I often hear, “Well, that is your truth,” or something similar. Sadly, we’ve allowed and enabled our leaders to adopt a similarly flexible approach to the truth. We allow adherence to known falsehoods to become a litmus test for party fidelity. In some groups, on the right and the left, unwillingness to embrace a falsehood leads to expulsion. This culture of toleration of falsehood leads to empowering the most radical and reactionary sectors of our society. The recent chaos in our House of Representative came about due to the embrace of well-established lie. Belief in, support of, and continually retelling the same lie does not make it any truer. When we embolden our leaders by supporting and encouraging such behavior, we hobble our government and culture. When we support and elect individuals given to prevarication and constructing legislation based on falsehood and manipulation of facts, we get shoddy government that does not truly address the pernicious issues we face. Ceding control of the levers of government to those untethered to the truth sets the stage for governmental and societal turmoil, and we the electorate are to blame.

In our representative form of government, we choose the individuals that represent us, and we have allowed party affiliation to overwhelm the truth. Contrary to what many would say, there is objective truth out there. We must exert some effort in finding it, but given access to the internet, it is relatively easy to find. Unfortunately, many of us settle for propaganda designed to reinforce our preexisting convictions instead of providing actual facts. Increasingly we choose to live in echo-chambers rather than summoning the mental fortitude required to sort through data and draw an informed opinion. Our elected officials understand this and increasingly offer up speeches and comments designed to stir up the base and provide very little in the way of valuable information. Due to the paucity of repercussions for prevarication, they repeat the lies crafted to shore up support among their perceived base. We should hold them to a higher standard, and not accept such corrupt behavior. Not only must we take the time and effort to inform ourselves, but we must also hold our elected officials accountable for their behaviors in the issue of veracity. When we elevate truthfulness over party platform, we will enjoy a higher quality of government. As long as we continue to disdain truthfulness, we will suffer under second-rate government.

As one who eschews party affiliation, I understand, and embrace, the need for strong vigorous parties on the left and on the right; however, parties, untethered to the truth do not serve the country well. When they jettison veracity, they cease to function well, primarily because they subordinate good governance to securing and maintaining power. In his unusually prescient final essay, George Washington warned against party politics, and though I do not know the complete answer to this problem, requiring elected officials to speak truthfully would be a good place to start. With truth as a base and verifiable facts as a starting point, politicians can work to develop policy and law that truly addresses the needs of the nation. But if we continue to allow and enable politicians to lie, we will suffer under government that does not serve the electorate. 

As the next election cycle unfolds, we must do our best to hold those seeking office to truthful statements, rejecting those candidates unwilling to speak truthfully. Those candidates that refuse to embrace the truth and continually lie do not serve the needs of the republic at large and will ultimately fail their own party. As I learned from my father and twenty-seven years of service in the military, truth is the coin of the realm, and we cannot discard it and expect good results. As painful as it might be, we must reinvigorate a corporate fidelity to the truth. It will not serve to look across the aisle and say, “Well they do it.” We must be intellectually honest enough to look inward first and hold our candidates, representatives, and party accountable first. When we make truth telling a priority, then we can expect profitable debate and the resultant good governance. As long as we tolerate falsehood in the name of party conformity, we will endure failed policies.