Christmas Musing #32 A Small Package

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.  Luke 2:15-16 English Standard Version

               When I was growing up, my best friend and I enjoyed an odd Christmas tradition. His family lived right behind us across the alley. Our families were close; close enough for us to enter through each other’s back door unannounced. After the “official” Christmas festivities had ended, late in the afternoon, we would trek back and forth between our houses examining the Christmas loot. Our parents employed similar presenting practices. We both would get a couple of fun gifts and a few practical gifts. It was always exciting to check out each other’s stuff. I remember one year he got extra large Army men. Most Army men are an inch or so in height, these were several inches tall. We played with those for years. In some ways, those visitations were the high point of the day. We shuttled back and forth between our houses with haste and glee, rejoicing at the cool things we got. Like the shepherds we wanted to see.

               Some of you have joined me on this month-long trek to see the babe in the manger. We received the news that our savior had been born and were given signs to look for. So off we went, hoping to see something wonderful at the end of our journey. And then we find our Lord and Savior in the most humble of circumstances, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a feeding trough. As in the first century, most of us miss him. As John would put it in his gospel,

“⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. John 1:9-11

               We do not know or receive Him because we expect something different, something more grand or impressive somehow. The creator, king of the universe, and savior of mankind doesn’t show up as a feeble, toothless baby. He especially doesn’t show up in the care of a young peasant girl and blue-collar-carpenter. But we find Immanuel, lying in a feeding-trough because there was no room for Him in a better place! We just find that hard to accept. But there He is, unexpectedly plain and insignificant. Will we respond like the shepherds and Maji or will we miss Him like Herod and the rest of the power-brokers in Palestine? So at the end of a long journey from heaven to earth, from God Almighty to an infant child, we behold Him, and worship the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Christmas Musing #31 Breathless Anticipation

 ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12 English Standard Version

               As I remember it, neither my brother nor I particularly succumbed to the temptation to open Christmas gifts early or expended much energy snooping about, hoping to find hidden Christmas gifts. We seemed content to wait for the corporate opening. I do remember occasionally asking to open one on Christmas Eve; but, my father always met that request with a solemn, “No, on Christmas Day only.” Of course, we responded by waking up as early as possible on Christmas morning…until we were teenagers that is. I still find that part of the joy of Christmas comes wrapped up in breathless anticipation.

               Waiting to find out what lies beneath the pretty paper and ribbon brings great joy. When we were younger, my parents normally gave us one significant toy and then a few more prosaic, useful gifts. We always enjoyed opening that special gift. My parents seemed to know exactly what would please us. Our practice of carefully marking the J.C. Penny’s and Sears Catalogues probably helped; however, they rarely got us something we’d identified. Normally it was something unusual and especially fitting to our personalities and proclivities. One year I did not get the “cool” gift. I was disappointed. My mother asked me if I liked the game. I asked what game. It turned out that in the crush of getting things done before Christmas, she’d neglected to wrap it. I ran to the indicated closet and was overjoyed by a really cool board game, which I played for years, this being long before the advent of video games. We enjoy gifts and all the possibilities they represent.

               All of creation held its collective breath in anticipation of the Advent of Immanuel. The Jews ached for the promised Messiah and the new era. The marginalized and downtrodden longed for relief and comfort. The shepherds hurried to see this savior, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. The Maji trekked hundreds of miles to see the new king. All them arrived in Bethlehem breathless with anticipation. They wanted to see this great new wonder heralded by stars and angels. And we too arrive in Bethlehem aquiver with expectation of something new, something wonderful.

               We exist in a dark and broken world. Glance through any newspaper and you will see headlines replete with disaster and disappointment. Our culture creaks along barely able to function. Disorder and chaos seem ready to pounce at any moment. The weak, marginalized, and insignificant labor against tremendous odds, often unable to rise above their circumstances. The wealthy and powerful still crush the poor and helpless in their insatiable thirst for influence and domination. We need something better.

               So on Christmas Eve, we all shuffle to Bethlehem, breathless with hope and desire for something, anything better. We’ve been told that our security and salvation lies in a manger, wrapped up and waiting. We hope that the messenger was not wrong, or we were deluded or mistaken. We need help from those foes outside and sadly, from our own malignant urgings and weaknesses. So, on Christmas Eve we peer into the manger ready to unwrap the great gift.

Christmas Musing #30 Pondering the Wonderful

 ⁵¹ And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. Luke 2:51 English Standard Version

               “Mr. Robinson, do you know what I liked the most about your class,” a former student recently asked me?

               I wasn’t sure how to respond. Was it the reading material I assigned? Was it the fact that I let them drink coffee or hot chocolate in my class, an oddity in High School? Perhaps, it was the fun assignments? After all, I did try and dream up interesting things for students to do. Maybe it was the art or group projects? Those always seemed to get a warm response. Maybe, just maybe, it was the fun lectures? I did know that some students enjoyed the classroom discussions spawned by the lectures.

               “I’m not sure,” I replied, “What was it?

               “Christmas time,” they said, “I always knew that once you started playing Christmas music on the first of November, we’d get a day to decorate the classroom and then when we came back from Christmas break, we’d get a day to take down all the decorations.”

               Though it wasn’t quite what I expected, it could have been worse. I enjoy Christmas, all of it. But I love the deep spiritual meditation of the season. Sometimes the crush of events and the bedlam of racing from place to place distracts me, and I forget to pause and consider the import of Advent. I am possessed of a disposition that often worries about minutia. I want things to be “just so.” Fortunately, when the darkness falls and the quiet descends, Bethlehem beckons. In my mind I go to the stable, take my place, and stand my watch with the assembled. I consider the astounding miracle of God becoming flesh. The how eludes me. How can the being who created this earth and all that is in it compress themselves into a small infant child. Even more slippery and incomprehensible is the why.

               Why would the Lord care so much? Like Mary, I’ve stored all these things up in my mind. Through scripture, I travel all the way back to the garden and hear the crunch that echoes down through time. More importantly, I hear the promise of a coming salvation and its echo. God whispers to many different people in different ways, “I’m coming, and I will set things right.” The Maji turn and bid me join them in their long journey to worship and honor the new-born king. The shepherds, sitting on the hill, amazed at the rent sky and heavenly hosts spilling out with God’s glory, call to me to join them in seeking the Christ-Child.

               We all come to the manger in the stable. Yes, I know the Maji probably came later; however, in my mind we all arrive at the manger together. All of creation holds its breath in wonder at this mighty miracle, wrapped in infant flesh swathed in strips of cloth, lying on a bed of straw. Sitting alone in the soft glow of our Christmas lights, I turn these things over in my mind and wonder. Why would He care so much? Luke got it right, all of these things are treasure, coins to spend on those days when my heart grows sick of sin and the darkness of the world. They are coin to spend on the rejuvenation of my heart. So each Christmas, I ponder on this wonderful thing that God has done that makes all the difference for me…and this sin-sick world.

Christmas Musing #29 Things Hidden

 ²⁵ At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; ²⁶ yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Matthew 11:25-26 English Standard Version

               Birth is a time of peril, and more importantly of great joy. Recently a good friend of mine anxiously sweated out the birth of his first grandchild. For medical reasons, they induced labor. I thought that meant a quick delivery…not always the case. For a couple of days, we got regular updates and eventually the longed-for text, “I can hear the cry of my grandson.” We all rejoiced and sent congratulatory texts. It was a moment of great celebration. I remember a few years ago when the world waited with great anxiousness the birth of a new member of the British Royal Family. Once things were complete, the Royal Family heralded the birth of a new king with great fanfare and proclamations around the globe. The royal line secured; all their realm breathed a great sigh of relief. A son had been born and the throne would pass on to a new generation without break or chaos. I remember sitting on the floor of our quarters in Germany, calling my parents after the birth of my son, a moment of relief and great rejoicing. We love sharing the great news of a new generation, a torch passed, a family expanded.

               God is not any different. When Jesus was born, God wanted to share the good news. His son, the messiah, Immanuel, was safely delivered. We like to share good news with important people, people who will rejoice with us. In the Army we carry on a tradition of the Cup-n-Flower-Fund. Part of what we do is rejoice with one another, giving new members of the military family a small remembrance of a new birth. So, when Jesus made His entry into our reality, God looked around for someone to share the good news with. Here is where it gets interesting.

               Think of all the major personalities of the first century, Caesar, Herod, and the leaders of the Jews, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians. These are the beautiful people of the age. You would think that God would send them an invitation to see His newborn son. No, they did not get one because they did not get it. God sends an invite to the shepherds. “⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. Luke 2:8-9 God picked the lowest members of the community to send a special invite. Of course, they were quite frightened, but what an honor, to be on God’s shortlist for an invite to see His newborn son. In His interaction with the shepherds, God shows us something important; God seeks those with humble hearts to share the good news with. The proud and high up do not rate the special call. There is something about the lowly, meek, and downtrodden that draws God’s heart.

               Advent ought to focus us on the marginalized of our society, after all God reached out to them first. Cast your mind back to that dark night in the Judean hill country. All is quiet and peaceful. Perhaps you gaze up into the stars in wonder. Perhaps you simply stand watch over the sheep trying to keep from dozing off, when suddenly the dark night is rent and the glory of the Lord shines all around and you find yourself face to face with the Herald Angel. Life will not be the same. As always, Advent changes things.

              

Christmas Musing #28 They Came from Afar Part 3

¹¹ And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 English Standard Version

               “I know what you’re going to say, Dad,” sighed one of my children.

               “Well, it’s true your presence is a present,” I replied, “I know that you’re not exactly flush with cash right now. Coming to visit us represents a sacrifice on your part and that means a lot to your mother and me. When things settle down and you’re able, you’ll give gifts. So, don’t worry about it.”

               “I just hate not being able to give because of a mistake that I made,” they moaned.

               “Well, we all make mistakes and that’s how we learn. Stop worrying about it and enjoy the season and the visit,” I said.

               “Okay, I will.”

               “Good, let’s not talk about it anymore.”

               We like to give gifts at Christmas. I enjoy going out and hunting and gathering, as Christy likes to say. The gifts need not be extravagant. Sometimes, a small insignificant gift means quite a lot. We enjoy providing loved ones with a tangible token of our love. It reminds them of the esteem in which we hold them. So, each Christmas, package, boxes, and bags appear underneath our tree. We continue a long tradition started by the Maji, exchanging gifts at Christmas.

               I like to think about the gifts of the Maji, not the symbolic nature of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I enjoy thinking about the love and honor the Maji showed through their gifts. I suspect that the Maji were men of means; after all they could afford a long trek. I think they were educated men. They knew enough to interpret the sign of the rising star. They were men of faith, responding to a dream and altering their return travel plans. The Western tradition says there were three men, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, though we do not know their names. I suppose we came up with three names because of the three gifts. What I like to meditate on is the care they must have shown in transporting these gifts all the way to Bethlehem. No handy Walmart or Target to run to at the last minute. No, these gifts were carefully chosen, packed, and carried quite some distance. These gifts represent honor and devotion, no gift-receipt needed.

               When we join in the tradition of giving gifts, we show our loved ones similar honor and devotion. That is why we say, “it is the thought that counts.” My child, who cannot afford to give me a gift, shows me honor and devotion by spending time with me, like the wise-men. They do not have the cash to pop open gold, frankincense, or myrrh…or the modern equivalent…but they will be here. You and I have nothing to offer the king, Jesus, Immanuel, but we can show up. We can worship. We can honor Him with our presence.

Christmas Musings #27 The Came from Afar Part 2

¹ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 English Standard Version

               “What do you want lieutenant,” asked my battalion commander? My company commander sat there smiling since he knew. It was 1989 in Kaiserslautern; Federal Republic of Germany and I was in the 327^th Signal Company. I’d found out that a platoon leader position was opening up at one of our remote signal stations. Unfortunately, it was being given to a lieutenant that was junior to me, simply because he was single, and I was married with an infant son. The battalion commander was concerned that the daily commute would be a burden upon my family. I was serving as the company supply and maintenance officer; positions that while important were not leadership positions, and officers need those leadership positions to thrive and grow in the service. I talked to my commander and obtained his permission to ask the battalion commander directly. So, I polished my shoes, put on my dress uniform, and gathered my courage for the talk.

               In answer to his question, I replied, “Sir, I think you should reconsider who you plan to assign to the open platoon leader position. I think I’ve earned the right to that position.”

               “Well,” he said, “I’m concerned about the commute that will require.”

               “Well sir, that is not your worry, that is my worry. I’m senior to the other lieutenant and have earned the right to that position.” Skipping all the other small talk involved, I walked out of that office into the platoon leader’s job, and quite an adventure. The Maji of Matthew’s gospel took similar risk.

               We do not know the details of their journey, but we can surmise that it took time and resources. A journey of any length in those days involved risk, significant risk. There were deserts to cross, mountains to pass, and often brigands to face down. There were financial considerations as well. A trek of such magnitude would require a substantial outlay of resources, aside from gold, frankincense, and myrrh. If they came from the Persian area, they were facing a trek of six months or so. The other possibilities were of even greater length. Some traditions have them coming all the way from China! Imagine the length of such a passage. All of this is speculation, since we do not know the details of their trip; however, no matter how you think about it, this entailed expense and risk, two things we like to avoid today. But they did it anyway.

               They did this all to visit an infant. I wonder what they knew. They knew that there was a new king of the Jews. They knew that a star had announced his arrival, but they did not know exactly where he was. They had to make a stop in Jerusalem to refine their map. The Maji make me wonder, what kind of risk am I willing to take? I also wonder, what have I missed because I was unwilling to listen to God and take risk? After all, the Maji took risk based on seeing a star rise. Are there stars calling me out into a greater advent experience that I’m missing?

              

Christmas Musing #26 They Came from Afar Part 1

 ¹ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 English Standard Version

               I like mysteries, particularly cozy-mystery novels. I came to this genre fairly late in life, while I was in graduate school. In case you’ve never heard of them, here is a decent working definition: Cozy mysteries are a sub-genre of crime fiction in which sex and violence occur offstage, the detective is an amateur sleuth, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially-intimate community. Of course, there are many variations on the theme; however, this is a fairly good definition. I also enjoy well executed television mysteries. I suppose it is the sense of the mysterious that intrigues me, the feeling of important things unknown and needing discovery. Usually, after all is done for the day, I close things out reading a good mystery. I’m currently reading a series set in thirteenth century England. I’m on the third novel and enjoying it quite a bit. There is a long-running tangled knot slowly unraveling bit by shadowy bit. There are ten in the series. In an interesting twist, the protagonist is an actual historical character. Whatever the cause, I enjoy a good whodunit. Perhaps that is why I find the “wise-men” or Maji so intriguing.

               We know so little about these strangers from the East. The Greek word the ESV translates as wise men, could also be translated as a “Magian, an (Oriental) astrologer, by implication a magician Usage: a sorcerer, a magician, a wizard.” I copied this from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. They traveled from some location east of Palestine. They followed a star that they believed heralded the birth of a new King of the Jews. They stopped first in Jerusalem; where they stirred up Herod and generated significant angst and political intrigue. Once they gathered more intel, they moved on to Bethlehem. Upon finding Jesus they worshiped and gave gifts. They listened to a dream and returned to their shadowy place of origin without stopping in Jerusalem. After that, they disappear from the Biblical record. I have so many unanswered questions concerning the Wise-Men.

               They represent one of the great mysteries of the Bible. How did they know. Many assume, and this is reasonable, that they got their prophetic word through the Jewish Diaspora. We still wonder about the basis for their knowledge. Also, why did God reach out to them. After all, they did not belong to the children of Israel. But reach out He did, and this calling gives me great joy and hope. The Wise-Men remind me that God reaches out to all, Jew, and Gentile alike. Those who seek Him, respond. The Maji undertook a long journey. We surmise that they came from some ancient kingdom, perhaps Persia or the area of modern-day Saudi Arabia. We do not know where or why; we do know they came. They wanted to see and worship. They mystery surrounding these men satisfies me. It reminds me that God works in ways wonderous, and He does not always provide me all the details. As scripture says, His ways are not my ways. He calls me to trust Him in those moments of ambiguity. I do not need to know all about the wise men. I need to know that they saw the star, they traveled a long way, and they worshiped. Perhaps at Christmas, I can simplify my Advent celebrations in a like manner, I see, I journey, and I worship.