X-Mas
Last weekend, we traveled to Maine for a family wedding. (Many thanks to Carol Stern for preaching a thoughtful message about HOPE so that I could enjoy the family gathering.) One has to wonder about the wisdom of planning a wedding in Maine in December, when everyone will have to travel to be at the festivities. But Maine’s weather cooperated, providing an idyllic setting. Snow had fallen just days before, leaving snow-covered fields and dry streets for easy navigation. The venue where the wedding was held was dressed up in twinkle lights, candles and greens. It was magical. Yet, the setting paled when the bride walked down the aisle, radiant, in a flowing white gown edged in lace, with a groom near giddy with joy at the front waiting for his bride to join him.
The friend who married them was articulate, even masterful in her words. This was her 7th friend wedding, so she is well practiced in the art. The poems shared were meaningful expressions of love and commitment. Yet, when the officiant defined the marriage commitment as one that should last “as long as it suits you,” the stage was set for the limitations that bind human love. Think of those times when anger or frustration or perhaps even just the fatigue of life makes commitment seem less ‘suitable.’ If we give up at those points, we miss the long-term potential. If we give up in those moments, we miss the promises that God’s enduring love can offer.
Therein lies what was truly missing in that beautiful wedding ceremony- God. In that exquisitely decorated Christmas wonderland, Jesus was clearly not on the invitation list. He was given no mention, offered no space, His blessing not requested, His grace not expected. This marriage will be built on human love, human effort, human wisdom, human desire. Those of us who have walked the path of marriage for decades know humans often fail. I’m not sure what happened to my niece. She is a thoughtful, caring, even sacrificial young woman. I am so proud of the woman she has become. But after 12 years of Christian school education, and 4 years in a Christian College, she moved to Boston, fell in love, and forgot all about Jesus- the Giver of all good gifts. The total absence of any desire for God’s presence was a shock to me and a great sadness. How many of us have sat through those secular wedding ceremonies and grieved the loss of faith?
The same could be said for our American Christmas experience. The other day I passed a lot where Christmas trees were being sold. The sign- Xmas Trees. Was the placard too small to write out the whole word? Were they just too lazy to write the full title, or is it possible that for the owners of that tree lot this season is truly X-mas? In algebra, X is the unknown, the variable, the quantity to be found. The goal of the math calculation is to solve for X, to know the answer. There is an unstated expectation that X can be found. So, could we hope that the tree lot owners are on a journey to find X- the One who is the King of kings and Lord of lords? That perhaps next year, their sign will read Christmas Trees because they have found the One who is the Way the Truth, the Life.
But the wedding this weekend reminded me that for many the X does not refer to the unknown that needs to be discovered, but rather X indicates that the One who has been celebrated is now crossed off the list. No more Jesus. No more Savior. No more Silent Night. No more Joy to the World. Just trees and twinkle lights, candles and presents. When we drive around to enjoy the Christmas lights, we see more Santas than creche scenes, more reindeer than shepherds and angels. At one home, the abominable snowman towers over a tiny plastic creche scene making one wonder who they think is the Lord of all. Don’t get me wrong, I love all those children’s stories. I still enjoy watching them each year. But in our home, we always made sure that our children understood the difference between fantasy and truth. Even Santa was a part of our children’s Christmas solely because St. Nicolas honored the birth of Jesus by giving gifts. In a world that seeks to X-out Jesus, we need to be sure that everything we do points to HIM!
That is my hope and challenge to all of us this year: that we do not give into the secularization of the season. That we do not allow in our conversations and our celebrations the X-ing Out of Jesus. Sunday night, we will enjoy a Christmas Concert at Lenape Valley that will truly be about Christmas. Jesus will be the honored guest. His presence celebrated. His blessing sought. His praise raised to the rafters. Bring a friend, a family member, a neighbor, perhaps even your enemy to hear the truth, to meet the One who is the Truth this season. A delicious reception will round out this family-friendly evening when the King of kings and Lord of lords is known and honored. Share the gift!
With you intentionally celebrating Christmas this year,
Anita
The friend who married them was articulate, even masterful in her words. This was her 7th friend wedding, so she is well practiced in the art. The poems shared were meaningful expressions of love and commitment. Yet, when the officiant defined the marriage commitment as one that should last “as long as it suits you,” the stage was set for the limitations that bind human love. Think of those times when anger or frustration or perhaps even just the fatigue of life makes commitment seem less ‘suitable.’ If we give up at those points, we miss the long-term potential. If we give up in those moments, we miss the promises that God’s enduring love can offer.
Therein lies what was truly missing in that beautiful wedding ceremony- God. In that exquisitely decorated Christmas wonderland, Jesus was clearly not on the invitation list. He was given no mention, offered no space, His blessing not requested, His grace not expected. This marriage will be built on human love, human effort, human wisdom, human desire. Those of us who have walked the path of marriage for decades know humans often fail. I’m not sure what happened to my niece. She is a thoughtful, caring, even sacrificial young woman. I am so proud of the woman she has become. But after 12 years of Christian school education, and 4 years in a Christian College, she moved to Boston, fell in love, and forgot all about Jesus- the Giver of all good gifts. The total absence of any desire for God’s presence was a shock to me and a great sadness. How many of us have sat through those secular wedding ceremonies and grieved the loss of faith?
The same could be said for our American Christmas experience. The other day I passed a lot where Christmas trees were being sold. The sign- Xmas Trees. Was the placard too small to write out the whole word? Were they just too lazy to write the full title, or is it possible that for the owners of that tree lot this season is truly X-mas? In algebra, X is the unknown, the variable, the quantity to be found. The goal of the math calculation is to solve for X, to know the answer. There is an unstated expectation that X can be found. So, could we hope that the tree lot owners are on a journey to find X- the One who is the King of kings and Lord of lords? That perhaps next year, their sign will read Christmas Trees because they have found the One who is the Way the Truth, the Life.
But the wedding this weekend reminded me that for many the X does not refer to the unknown that needs to be discovered, but rather X indicates that the One who has been celebrated is now crossed off the list. No more Jesus. No more Savior. No more Silent Night. No more Joy to the World. Just trees and twinkle lights, candles and presents. When we drive around to enjoy the Christmas lights, we see more Santas than creche scenes, more reindeer than shepherds and angels. At one home, the abominable snowman towers over a tiny plastic creche scene making one wonder who they think is the Lord of all. Don’t get me wrong, I love all those children’s stories. I still enjoy watching them each year. But in our home, we always made sure that our children understood the difference between fantasy and truth. Even Santa was a part of our children’s Christmas solely because St. Nicolas honored the birth of Jesus by giving gifts. In a world that seeks to X-out Jesus, we need to be sure that everything we do points to HIM!
That is my hope and challenge to all of us this year: that we do not give into the secularization of the season. That we do not allow in our conversations and our celebrations the X-ing Out of Jesus. Sunday night, we will enjoy a Christmas Concert at Lenape Valley that will truly be about Christmas. Jesus will be the honored guest. His presence celebrated. His blessing sought. His praise raised to the rafters. Bring a friend, a family member, a neighbor, perhaps even your enemy to hear the truth, to meet the One who is the Truth this season. A delicious reception will round out this family-friendly evening when the King of kings and Lord of lords is known and honored. Share the gift!
With you intentionally celebrating Christmas this year,
Anita
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