Let me rephrase what Jesus said to the rich young ruler: why do we call today good? I love Jesus. He comforts me, He takes care of me, and He defines my very existence. Yet today we celebrate the day that He died the most horrible and gruesome death ever known. So why do we call it good?
Let me share a bit of my life. A year and a half ago, my second son, Justin, was born. He had a beautiful face and unusually wise eyes for his age. However, even though he looked perfectly healthy from the outside, on the inside his lungs and heart were malformed. The Lord gave my wife and me 10 days with him, and then he left us. Out of all of the experiences of my life, it is the most painful and difficult experience I have ever had. And I will treasure it always.
There is only one word to describe those days we had with Justin: good. There is only one word for the anticipation of him being born even though we knew he would be sick: good. There is only one way to define the feeling of being able to hold him in my arms as he passed away: good. There is only one thing to say to explain what Justin’s short life was: it was most certainly good.
Good is not the absence of pain, or the immensity of happiness. It is the fundamental value of something. Justin’s life, though short, will forever be cemented in his mother’s and my hearts, and it is that which makes it good. When we look to the cross – the epicenter of human history, the suffering to end all suffering, the King of Kings carrying the guilt of the world – we look at something of immeasurable worth. It was not just another Friday, but for humanity it was the best Friday of history. And though it was a difficult time for Christ that day, I am certain He looks back on it and calls it good, for it was the day He bought His people.
So let us celebrate in mourning. Let us express our joy for the day of sorrows. And let us look up that hill and know that what was done was done for you, for me, and for the whole world. May you have a truly Good Friday. Amen.
Showing posts with label Holy Days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Days. Show all posts
April 18, 2014
January 1, 2014
Auld Lang Syne
Should old acquaintance be forgot and never be brought to mind?Simply put: "Should we forget about the old days? Cheers! Cheers to the old days!"
Should old acquaintance be forgot and the days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne my dear,
For auld lang syne
We'll take the cup of kindness yet
for auld lang syne
It is a beautiful sentiment about the importance of memory, and knowing where it is we come from. The older we are, the more the past is recognized as important. And by that, I don't just mean our own past, but the days of history. Appreciating where a thing come from grounds our understanding of what a thing is better then perhaps any other form of analysis. Perhaps this is why the ultimate question of origin seems to important to us, but I digress.
This year, perhaps more so than any year before, I feel a need to look back. I feel a need to understand what has brought me to this point in my life so that I can appreciate both where I am, and where I am going. And so the words Auld Lang Syne hit closer to my heart than they have in the days old long since, and perhaps that more so than anything else tells me exactly where it is I am.
To the good old days my friends! To the good old days!
December 24, 2013
O Holy Night
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
(Yes I know that verse 2 isn't in the video. The video is still beautiful)
March 31, 2013
Christ Is Risen
Let no one caught in sin remain*
Inside the lie of inward shame
We fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely you bled, for us
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave!
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave!
Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bow to none but heavens will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold you down
In strength you reign
Forever let your church proclaim
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!
Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, he's alive! HE'S ALIVE!
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Rise up from the grave...
December 24, 2012
Christmas according to John (repost)
Many believe that there are only two tellings of the Christmas story in Scripture: Luke 3, and Matthew 1-2. But there is a third telling: John chapter one.
The focus of Christmas isn't that Jesus was once born. I have often asked people why Christmas is important and their answer is that it needed to happen for Jesus to get to Calvary. Well, that is true, but there were a great number of things that needed to happen for that, and we don't celebrate them all.
The reason we celebrate Christmas is the reason that John gives: The Word of God became flesh. The light of God came to men. That the Holy God thought it good to come down to Earth and get His hands dirty with our mess. That is something worthy of celebration.
John 1:1-5
This says a many things about the Word. The Word existed at the beginning of things. The Word was God's means of creating the world. That the Word is distinct from God, but is yet God Himself (hence Trinity).
It also says that the Word is the source of life and light to humanity. Light is a major theme in John's gospel, introduced here. For now, he speaks merely of its strength, and how it can overcome darkness. Like the term "word", light here refers not the concept of goodness, but to the concept of revelation. The light reveals the things in the dark. John will describe this in more detail later.
John 1:6-8
John 1:9-13
John 1:14
However, John's point here of having seen the glory of the Son is to testify that Yeshua truly is the Son of God. John knows that He is the Son of God, for John has indeed seen his glory, being an eyewitness to the Word, and therefore we know this testimony that he is setting forth is true.
John 1:15-17
Bearing speaking again of the Baptist gives further proof to John's testimony.
But what is most interesting is the comparison between Moses and Yeshua. The gospel of John is very Jewish, and one of his concerns is to understand the coming of the Son of God in light of the first century Jewish world view. How he, and the other apostles I might add, do this is by recognizing that in Moses we have been given the Law, the understanding of righteousness and God's justice. But in Yeshua the Christ we God graciousness and the fullness of God's mind. For though God is far above us and we cannot see Him, He has made Himself known to us through Yeshua the Christ!
For this reason I say Merry Christmas, and to challenge you to take the time and think about what it means for the Word to become flesh, for the true God of glory to come to us, even when we were yet sinners, knowing full well what the end of His time on Earth would bring.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
For original post, see here.
In the beginning was the Word, andthe Word was with God, andthe Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him as life, andthe life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. -John 1:1-17I do not want to take away from the greatness of the other Christmas stories in Scripture, but this is my favorite out of the three, and it saddens me that it is often forgotten. It may not give historical details of his birth, but it says most clearly the heart of why we celebrate on Christmas.
The focus of Christmas isn't that Jesus was once born. I have often asked people why Christmas is important and their answer is that it needed to happen for Jesus to get to Calvary. Well, that is true, but there were a great number of things that needed to happen for that, and we don't celebrate them all.
The reason we celebrate Christmas is the reason that John gives: The Word of God became flesh. The light of God came to men. That the Holy God thought it good to come down to Earth and get His hands dirty with our mess. That is something worthy of celebration.
John 1:1-5
It is very important to contemplate what John means by 'the Word'. The brilliance of it though, is that John means a great many things by 'the Word'. But I believe that its primary meaning is to tell us the primary aspect of the economy of the 2nd person of the Trinity: He is God's self-disclosure to humanity. He is what God has "said" about Himself, and the source of our understanding of Him.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him as life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
This says a many things about the Word. The Word existed at the beginning of things. The Word was God's means of creating the world. That the Word is distinct from God, but is yet God Himself (hence Trinity).
It also says that the Word is the source of life and light to humanity. Light is a major theme in John's gospel, introduced here. For now, he speaks merely of its strength, and how it can overcome darkness. Like the term "word", light here refers not the concept of goodness, but to the concept of revelation. The light reveals the things in the dark. John will describe this in more detail later.
John 1:6-8
The introduction of John the Baptist is a curious addition to the story. Its introduction here is to deal with a common Jewish theory at that time, which was that John the Baptist was the Messiah. Here the Apostle dispels that theory, and claims that it was John the Baptist's purpose to point to the Light. The other reason has to do with the Apostle's claim that the John the Baptist himself was sent by God, and to dispel any erroneous thoughts that might suggest. However, this also serves as an introduction to John the Baptist himself, whose role in coming of Christ will later be revealed.There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
John 1:9-13
Here is where John goes into more detail about the light. Again, by enlighten it means reveals things. This light came into the world that rejected and hated Him, and was even hated by His own people. But He came anyway, knowing this out of love so that we may become children of God. Those who become children are those that receive Him, those that believe in His name. Even here we have the NT emphasis that salvation isn't just to the Jews, but to any who may believe. Salvation does not merely come to those who it is "supposed to come", but it comes to whoever may believe for God is no respecter of persons.The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:14
And this is what makes this a Christmas story. This is the celebration of Christmas: that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He ate like us, bathed like us, smelled and spoke and walked like us. And now we can know who God is, because we have witnessed the Son and have seen His glory.And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
However, John's point here of having seen the glory of the Son is to testify that Yeshua truly is the Son of God. John knows that He is the Son of God, for John has indeed seen his glory, being an eyewitness to the Word, and therefore we know this testimony that he is setting forth is true.
John 1:15-17
John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
Bearing speaking again of the Baptist gives further proof to John's testimony.
But what is most interesting is the comparison between Moses and Yeshua. The gospel of John is very Jewish, and one of his concerns is to understand the coming of the Son of God in light of the first century Jewish world view. How he, and the other apostles I might add, do this is by recognizing that in Moses we have been given the Law, the understanding of righteousness and God's justice. But in Yeshua the Christ we God graciousness and the fullness of God's mind. For though God is far above us and we cannot see Him, He has made Himself known to us through Yeshua the Christ!
For this reason I say Merry Christmas, and to challenge you to take the time and think about what it means for the Word to become flesh, for the true God of glory to come to us, even when we were yet sinners, knowing full well what the end of His time on Earth would bring.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
For original post, see here.
November 1, 2012
Little Saints Day
Well, today is All Saints Day, and I try to put up a story about a Christian martyr up every year in celebration. However, today is also the day of my son's funeral.
I didn't aim for today. It just happened to be the first day that we could hold it due to the weather. However, I think it is a good day to remember him on, because it reminds me of the kind of company that he is keeping. I know I can't hold him in my arms any more, but now he is being held by Jesus, and that's not a very bad place to be.
He'll be taught how to walk by Athanasius.
How to talk by the apostle Paul.
How to throw by Joshua.
How to dance by David.
How to sing by Charles Wesley.
How to love by Francis of Assissi.
How to work by Jim Elliot.
I imagine him laughing and crying with a great cloud of witnesses around him. It's a nice image to have while I'm saying goodbye. Remember, we cry for our loss, not theirs. I already miss him so much, and when I see him again he'll be fully grown. I look forward to that.
I didn't aim for today. It just happened to be the first day that we could hold it due to the weather. However, I think it is a good day to remember him on, because it reminds me of the kind of company that he is keeping. I know I can't hold him in my arms any more, but now he is being held by Jesus, and that's not a very bad place to be.
He'll be taught how to walk by Athanasius.
How to talk by the apostle Paul.
How to throw by Joshua.
How to dance by David.
How to sing by Charles Wesley.
How to love by Francis of Assissi.
How to work by Jim Elliot.
I imagine him laughing and crying with a great cloud of witnesses around him. It's a nice image to have while I'm saying goodbye. Remember, we cry for our loss, not theirs. I already miss him so much, and when I see him again he'll be fully grown. I look forward to that.
April 8, 2012
Easter Quote
"Make no mistake; if He rose at all
it was as His body;
if the cells' dissolution did not reverse, the molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle,
the Church will fall.
It was not as the flowers,
each soft Spring recurrent;
it was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled eyes of the eleven apostles;
it was as His Flesh: ours...
Let us not mock God with metaphor,
analogy, sidestepping, transcendence;
making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the faded credulity of earlier ages:
let us walk through the door...
Let us not seek to make it less monstrous,
for our own convienience, our own sense of beauty,
lest,awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are embarrassed by the miracle,
and crushed by remonstrance.
-John Updike, "Seven Stanzas at Easter"
it was as His body;
if the cells' dissolution did not reverse, the molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle,
the Church will fall.
It was not as the flowers,
each soft Spring recurrent;
it was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled eyes of the eleven apostles;
it was as His Flesh: ours...
Let us not mock God with metaphor,
analogy, sidestepping, transcendence;
making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the faded credulity of earlier ages:
let us walk through the door...
Let us not seek to make it less monstrous,
for our own convienience, our own sense of beauty,
lest,awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are embarrassed by the miracle,
and crushed by remonstrance.
-John Updike, "Seven Stanzas at Easter"
April 6, 2012
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
-When I Survey the Wondrous, Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Have a blessed Good Friday.
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
-When I Survey the Wondrous, Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Have a blessed Good Friday.
March 17, 2012
November 24, 2011
Thankfulness as the Key to Joy
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. -Ephesians 5:17-20
In Christian life, thankful is intended to be a way of life. It is not incidental that Paul advices us, no, charges us to be thankful in everything. The key to living a joyful is to choose to be thankful for the life that we have.
It is interesting that we live in such a properous nation, and in such lavish comfort over all, and yet most of us have a lot of trouble being thankful. Here nation is a testament to the truth that getting what we want does not make us happy. What makes us happy is recognizing that we already have more than we deserve.
God is a merciful and caring God, and even the most disadvantaged person in the world has still been given life, a gift that was unearned and was not owed him. My every breath is a gift. Even though it is easy to be frustrated that things are as good as they were, be grateful that you still eat three square meals a day, have a roof over your head, and clean clothes on your back, for there are many who don't have those things who are grateful for what we have.
So this Thanksgiving, give thanks. Know that God is with you and is blessing you. Look at your family and friends and thank God for them.
And one more thing: have fun! God loves a cheerful thanker.
November 1, 2011
Christian Memorial Day
A Blessed All Saints Day to you!
I say blessed, because we in America do not fully understand what it is like to suffer for our faith. This is why All Saints Day is so important for us Americans.
All Saints Day is the Christian Memorial Day, where we remember those who of suffered and died for the cause of Christ. As a nation of comfort and religous freedom, we need to remember that our brothers and sisters across the world do not share our fortune. The gospel costs something. We, who are so afraid to stand up for the name of Christ and the hope that He brings, need to look at those saints who have paid the ultimate price on crosses, stakes, and swords.
This is the day of martyrs, and we have allowed Halloween of all things to let us forget the courage of our siblings in the Lord, and the power that the Spirit of God displays through our weakness.
Here is a story from the Voice of Martyrs website. Let it encourage you to pray for those in other nations, for our fallen myrtyrs:
Somalia: Teenager Beheaded
A 17-year-old Christian was beheaded by al-Shabab extremists on Sept. 25 as he prepared for school. Al-Shabab, determined to rid Somalia of Christianity and Western influence, had carefully monitored Guled Jama Muktar and his family since their arrival from Kenya in 2008, a source told Compass Direct News. “I personally know this family as Christians who used to have secret Bible meetings in their house,” the source said.
The militants arrived at Muktar’s house around 6 a.m. after his parents had left for work.
“The neighbors heard screaming coming from the house, and then it immediately stopped,” the source told Compass Direct News. “After a while, they saw a white car leaving the homestead.” When Muktar’s parents heard about their son’s murder, they rushed home, buried his body and fled the area, fearing the militants would kill them as well. “When the incident happened, the parents called to tell me that their son had been killed and that they feared for their lives,” the source said. “Since then, I have not heard from them.”
After a string of al-Shabab kidnappings in Kenya, Kenyan military forces invaded Somalia on Sunday, Oct. 16, to combat the extremist sect, according to Associated Press reports. Kenya claims that France joined them in an attack on Oct. 23, bombing a town near an al-Shabab stronghold.
The al-Qaida-linked Al-Shabab are masters of suicide bombs, slaughtering Somali civilians, many of them Christians. While fighting the transitional Somali government for control of the country, al-Shabab imposes a strict version of Sharia, or Islamic law, in the area it controls.
April 24, 2011
HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!!!!!
Our eternal hope is not spending eternity in heaven. We are not waiting for Jesus to take us to some other plane of reality. We should not be content with justification.
Christians who are solely focused on the forgiveness of sins (which is important) forget that we have an eternal hope. I am forgiven, so how can I hope for something I already have. The cross tells us what we have now, but it is in the empty tomb that we can see what our future will be.
The relevance of the resurrection is not simply that it declares that Jesus is the Messiah, though it does that. It does not simply declare that our Savior is alive and present with us, though it does that. It does not simply declare that Jesus is power, though it does that.
Ultimately it tells us that Jesus defeated death itself, and we need no longer fear it. One day, we will share in His resurrection, and enjoy the same resurrected bodies that Jesus had. We will eat along our savior forever in the New Jerusalem, on the New Earth.
It is this hope that we are declared to share throughout all the world. And it is this hope that we celebrate today.
Happy Easter.
Christians who are solely focused on the forgiveness of sins (which is important) forget that we have an eternal hope. I am forgiven, so how can I hope for something I already have. The cross tells us what we have now, but it is in the empty tomb that we can see what our future will be.
The relevance of the resurrection is not simply that it declares that Jesus is the Messiah, though it does that. It does not simply declare that our Savior is alive and present with us, though it does that. It does not simply declare that Jesus is power, though it does that.
Ultimately it tells us that Jesus defeated death itself, and we need no longer fear it. One day, we will share in His resurrection, and enjoy the same resurrected bodies that Jesus had. We will eat along our savior forever in the New Jerusalem, on the New Earth.
It is this hope that we are declared to share throughout all the world. And it is this hope that we celebrate today.
Happy Easter.
April 22, 2011
TGIGF: Thank God It's Good Friday
What I love about Good Friday is that it is the only holiday that I am aware of where we mournfully rejoice.
Mourn, for today is the day that the Lord died. Today is the day that the King of Kings sacrificed Himself. Today we mourn, and know that it was for us. He died to exonerate our sins. He died to kill Sin itself. He was beaten and bruised, scourged and flailed, hung and crucified. He bled today.
But rejoice, for today is the day is not the end. Death did not triumph over the Messiah, for it was mere flesh that was destroyed that day. Our savior lived on, and in three days hence our souls will look in awe on the power and grace of our God.
So today is a day to look back on a broken body on the cross. But it is also a day to look forward to an empty tomb. So come and mourn with me a while, for with us Christian, all mourning is for a short time.
July 4, 2009
Happy Independance Day
Due to today, I have not had the oppurtunity to write the devotional that I usually do on Saturdays. I wasn't really home all day long, so I couldn't get at my computer. But I had a pleasant surprise when I did get home.
My wife and I live in an apartment complex that is on the shore of a relatively large pond (almost 2 miles long and a kilometer wide) which is formed by a breach in a near by lake (Actually, one of the great lakes). Normally this isn't very important, other than the beauty of the water. Esther and I occasionally take strolls there, but not as often as we would like.
Well, what we found today was that after night fall, all around the pond there were about 6 to 7 different fireworks shows. None of them were as formal as what one would usually see, but there was something wonderful about that. It gave a greater sense of community to me, as if the people in the area were doing the fireworks together, rather than merely hiring someone to do it. This with the beautiful water made it the best fireworks show I've ever seen.
I think there is great wonder and beauty in informality. Don't get me wrong, formality and structure have their place, and chaos is never really to be desired. But sometimes it is the informal that makes the greater impression since it feels more personal.
Any, happy Independence Day!
My wife and I live in an apartment complex that is on the shore of a relatively large pond (almost 2 miles long and a kilometer wide) which is formed by a breach in a near by lake (Actually, one of the great lakes). Normally this isn't very important, other than the beauty of the water. Esther and I occasionally take strolls there, but not as often as we would like.
Well, what we found today was that after night fall, all around the pond there were about 6 to 7 different fireworks shows. None of them were as formal as what one would usually see, but there was something wonderful about that. It gave a greater sense of community to me, as if the people in the area were doing the fireworks together, rather than merely hiring someone to do it. This with the beautiful water made it the best fireworks show I've ever seen.
I think there is great wonder and beauty in informality. Don't get me wrong, formality and structure have their place, and chaos is never really to be desired. But sometimes it is the informal that makes the greater impression since it feels more personal.
Any, happy Independence Day!
April 12, 2009
April 10, 2009
O Come And Mourn with Me Awhile
Today is Good Friday. Be joyful and mourn.
There are many reasons why I am proud to be Irish (one of which is that I am Irish and am required to be proud). But if there is one thing I am proudest about, it is the Irish ability to be joyful about death. I don't know if it is unique, but I believe it is very Christian. My life is not bound to this world, but is bound to my God, and my death is not a loss on my part, though it may be on yours. There is a joy in knowing that a loved one is in the arms of their Savior, and a joy in nostalgizing their life instead of lamenting our less furnished future.
To this I want to reflect on the classic hymn "O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile" written by Fredrick W. Faber. The only version of this hymn that I really know is the Jars of Clay version from their album Redemption Songs, which is a remix of various traditional hymns. This song reflects a joyful mourning which I think is the proper tone to Good Friday. The chorus is particularly significant, as it paints a picture of a contest between anthropomorphized Love and Sin, and through Christ's death, Love has won.
So we come with a somberness, recognizing the torment and the trial. And yet, through the lashing (both by tongues and whips), through the crying, through the trek, and through the blood and offal on the ground, we celebrate a victory! A victory over death, oppression, and sin. And so we have a mixed cup of water and blood and we hold up both to our Lord. Through the sorrow on the cross our hearts can break open, and allow a door for the love of God to come in a fill us completely.
So, I present here the lyrics for your reflection on this day of joyful mourning:
There are many reasons why I am proud to be Irish (one of which is that I am Irish and am required to be proud). But if there is one thing I am proudest about, it is the Irish ability to be joyful about death. I don't know if it is unique, but I believe it is very Christian. My life is not bound to this world, but is bound to my God, and my death is not a loss on my part, though it may be on yours. There is a joy in knowing that a loved one is in the arms of their Savior, and a joy in nostalgizing their life instead of lamenting our less furnished future.
To this I want to reflect on the classic hymn "O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile" written by Fredrick W. Faber. The only version of this hymn that I really know is the Jars of Clay version from their album Redemption Songs, which is a remix of various traditional hymns. This song reflects a joyful mourning which I think is the proper tone to Good Friday. The chorus is particularly significant, as it paints a picture of a contest between anthropomorphized Love and Sin, and through Christ's death, Love has won.
So we come with a somberness, recognizing the torment and the trial. And yet, through the lashing (both by tongues and whips), through the crying, through the trek, and through the blood and offal on the ground, we celebrate a victory! A victory over death, oppression, and sin. And so we have a mixed cup of water and blood and we hold up both to our Lord. Through the sorrow on the cross our hearts can break open, and allow a door for the love of God to come in a fill us completely.
So, I present here the lyrics for your reflection on this day of joyful mourning:
O come and mourn with me awhile,
O come near to the Saviour's side,
O come together, let us mourn,
Jesus our Lord is crucified
Seven times He spoke seven words of love,
And all three hours His silence cried,
For mercy on the souls of men,
Jesus our Lord is crucified
O Love of God,
___O Sin of Man,
In this dread act your strength is tried,
And victory remains with Love,
Jesus our Lord is crucified
O break, o break hard heart of mine,
My weak self-love and guilty pride,
His Pilate and His Judus were,
Jesus our Lord is crucified
O Love of God,
___O Sin of Man,
In this dread act your strength is tried,
And victory remains with Love,
Jesus our Lord is crucified
A broken heart, a fount of tears,
Ask and they will not be denied,
A broken heart love's cradle is,
Jesus our Lord is crucified
O Love of God,
___O Sin of Man,
In this dread act your strength in tried,
And victory remains with Love,
Jesus our Lord is crucified
March 17, 2009
How Christianity Came to Ireland
Erin Go Braugh! May the blessings of St. Patrick be upon you all on this fine day. As I'm sure many of you noticed from my overtness, I am of Irish heritage and very proud of it. Indeed, there is nothing grander than the pride in one's heritage, especially if that heritage is Irish. The pride of the Irish is pride in their character. We are a people who love life, and love it unapologetically. Yet we love all aspects of life, including death, and have a joy and a sadness which is mixed better than a black and tan. Well, I guess that's not too hard... but anyway, it is well mixed.
Today is St. Patrick's Day, which is not a day for drinking and wearing green. In Ireland, to which I have never been but desperately wish to go,there is no drinking, for it is a holy day. Here in America, it has become a day to celebrate Irishness, but since I do that all year round, today I celebrate the salvation of the Irish.
The Tale of St. Patrick1
Patrick was born a Briton (one of the Celtic tribes of what is now England) in the fifth century A.D. (not C.E.!) At this time, Christianized Rome had captured England and most of the Britons had converted to Christianity. Indeed, Patrick's grandfather was a priest. However, Patrick wanted no part of it.
When he was sixteen, he was kidnapped by Celtic Pirates and enslaved in Ireland. During his enslavement, he came to love and understand the Irish people. Additionally, he found God Himself, recognizing His hand in nature.
After 6 years, in a vision, God provided a way for Patrick to escape, which he did. He eventually made his way back to England and served as a priest there for many years.
When he was 48, he received a vision which he interpreted to be a missionary call to Ireland. He made an appeal to Rome, who ordained him as a bishop. Along with an entourage of priests, seminarians and others, he arrived in Ireland in 432 A.D.
Patrick's method was very different from what we are used to. He established Christian communities with his entourage, and invited the Irish to join them. Often these communities were called "monasteries", but that's not entirely accurate. They were self-governed villages essentially, where the inhabits worshiped God together. This was a rather original idea, and was done to target Irish culture, which Patrick knew intimately.
Through Patrick's methodology, these communities spread across the island, where the Irish could find peace and rest from tribal life. Conversion mostly came from immersion, rather than cerebral discussion, or emotional experientialism. Ireland developed a distinct look into the Christian faith with was loving, kind, natural, communal, and deep. I'm not claiming that Christianity is perfectly represented in the Irish. Of course not. But Christianity suited the Irish very well, and vice versa.
A Prayer
In this post, I hope to educate some of you into the importance of this day. Let us not celebrate by drinking to a stupor, but instead let us celebrate on the sacrifices and passion of St. Patrick. He is one of the greatest evangelists the church has ever produced, and a fine example of what it takes to spread the faith.
I conclude by offering a prayer developed in one of the celtic communities which derived from his designs:
2. Ibid, 34.
Today is St. Patrick's Day, which is not a day for drinking and wearing green. In Ireland, to which I have never been but desperately wish to go,
The Tale of St. Patrick1
Patrick was born a Briton (one of the Celtic tribes of what is now England) in the fifth century A.D. (not C.E.!) At this time, Christianized Rome had captured England and most of the Britons had converted to Christianity. Indeed, Patrick's grandfather was a priest. However, Patrick wanted no part of it.
When he was sixteen, he was kidnapped by Celtic Pirates and enslaved in Ireland. During his enslavement, he came to love and understand the Irish people. Additionally, he found God Himself, recognizing His hand in nature.
After 6 years, in a vision, God provided a way for Patrick to escape, which he did. He eventually made his way back to England and served as a priest there for many years.
When he was 48, he received a vision which he interpreted to be a missionary call to Ireland. He made an appeal to Rome, who ordained him as a bishop. Along with an entourage of priests, seminarians and others, he arrived in Ireland in 432 A.D.
Patrick's method was very different from what we are used to. He established Christian communities with his entourage, and invited the Irish to join them. Often these communities were called "monasteries", but that's not entirely accurate. They were self-governed villages essentially, where the inhabits worshiped God together. This was a rather original idea, and was done to target Irish culture, which Patrick knew intimately.
Through Patrick's methodology, these communities spread across the island, where the Irish could find peace and rest from tribal life. Conversion mostly came from immersion, rather than cerebral discussion, or emotional experientialism. Ireland developed a distinct look into the Christian faith with was loving, kind, natural, communal, and deep. I'm not claiming that Christianity is perfectly represented in the Irish. Of course not. But Christianity suited the Irish very well, and vice versa.
A Prayer
In this post, I hope to educate some of you into the importance of this day. Let us not celebrate by drinking to a stupor, but instead let us celebrate on the sacrifices and passion of St. Patrick. He is one of the greatest evangelists the church has ever produced, and a fine example of what it takes to spread the faith.
I conclude by offering a prayer developed in one of the celtic communities which derived from his designs:
I lie down this night with God,1. George G. Hunter III, The Celtic Way of Evangelism, (Nashville, TN: Abindon Press, 200), chapter 1.
And God will lie down with me,
I lie down this night with Christ,
And Christ will lie down with me;
I lie down this night with the Spirit;
And the Spirit will lie down with me;
God and Christ and the Spirit
Be lying down with me.2
2. Ibid, 34.
December 24, 2008
The Christmas Story according to John
Many believe that there are only two tellings of the Christmas story in Scripture: Luke 3, and Matthew 1-2. But there is a third telling: John chapter one.
I do not want to take away from the greatness of the other Christmas stories in Scripture, but this is my favorite out of the three, and it saddens me that it is often forgotten. It may not give historical details of his birth, but it says most clearly the heart of why we celebrate on Christmas.
The focus of Christmas isn't that Jesus was once born. I have often asked people why Christmas is important and they answer is that it needed to have happened for Jesus to get to Calvary. Well, that is true, but there were a great number of things that needed to happen for that, and we don't celebrate them all.
The reason we celebrate Christmas is the reason that John gives: The Word of God became flesh. That the light of God came to men. That the Holy God thought it good to come down to Earth and get His hands dirty with our mess. That is something worthy to celebrate.
John 1:1-5
This says a many things about the Word. The Word existed at the beginning of things. The Word was God's means of creating the world. That the Word is distinct from God, but is yet God Himself (hence Trinity).
It also says that the Word is the source of life and light to humanity. Light is a major theme in John's gospel, introduced here. For now, he speaks merely of its strength, and how it can overcome darkness. Like the term "word", light here refers not the concept of goodness, but to the concept of revelation. The light reveals the things in the dark. John will describe this in more detail later.
John 1:6-8
John 1:9-13
John 1:14
However, John's point here of having seen the glory of the Son is to testify that Yeshua truly is the Son of God. John knows that He is the Son of God, for John has indeed seen his glory, he is an eyewitness to the Word, and therefore we know this testimony that he is setting forth is true.
John 1:15-17
Bearing speaking again of the Baptist gives further proof to John's testimony.
But what is most interesting is the comparison between Moses and Yeshua. The gospel of John is very Jewish, and one of his concerns is to understanding the coming of the Son of God in light of the first century Jewish world view. How he, and the other apostles I might add, do this is by recognizing that in Moses we have been given the Law, the an understanding of righteousness and God's justice. But in Yeshua the Christ we God graciousness and the fullness of God's mind. For though God is far above us and we cannot see Him, He has made Himself known to us through Yeshua the Christ!
For this reason I say Merry Christmas, and to challenge you to take the time and think about what it means for the Word to become flesh, for the true God of glory to come to us, even when we were yet sinners, knowing full well what the end of His time on Earth would bring.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him as life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. -John 1:1-17
The focus of Christmas isn't that Jesus was once born. I have often asked people why Christmas is important and they answer is that it needed to have happened for Jesus to get to Calvary. Well, that is true, but there were a great number of things that needed to happen for that, and we don't celebrate them all.
The reason we celebrate Christmas is the reason that John gives: The Word of God became flesh. That the light of God came to men. That the Holy God thought it good to come down to Earth and get His hands dirty with our mess. That is something worthy to celebrate.
John 1:1-5
It is very important to contemplate what John means by the word. The brilliance of it though, is that John means a great many things by the Word. But I believe that its primary meaning is to tell us the primary aspect of the economy of the 2nd person of the Trinity: He is God's self-disclosure to humanity. He is what God has "said" about Himself, and the source of our understanding of Him.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him as life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
This says a many things about the Word. The Word existed at the beginning of things. The Word was God's means of creating the world. That the Word is distinct from God, but is yet God Himself (hence Trinity).
It also says that the Word is the source of life and light to humanity. Light is a major theme in John's gospel, introduced here. For now, he speaks merely of its strength, and how it can overcome darkness. Like the term "word", light here refers not the concept of goodness, but to the concept of revelation. The light reveals the things in the dark. John will describe this in more detail later.
John 1:6-8
The introduction of John the Baptist is a curious addition to the story. Its introduction here is to deal with a common Jewish theory of the time that the Baptist was the Messiah. Here the Apostle dispels that theory, and claims that it was the Baptist's purpose to point to the Light. The other reason has to do with the Apostle's claim that the Baptist himself was sent by God, and to dispel any erroneous thoughts that might suggest. However, this also serves as an introduction to John himself, whose role in coming of Christ will later be revealed.There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
John 1:9-13
Here is where John goes into more detail about the light. Again, by enlighten it means reveals things. This light came into the world that rejected and hated Him, and was even hated by His own people. But He came anyway, knowing this out of love so that we may become children of God. Those who become children are those that receive Him, those that believe in His name. Even here we have the NT emphasis that salvation isn't just to the Jews, but to any who may believe. Salvation does not merely come to those who it is "supposed to come", but it comes to whoever may believe for God is no respecter of persons.The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:14
And this is what makes this the Christmas story. This is the celebration of Christmas: that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He ate like us, bathed like us, defecated like us, smelled and spoke and walked like us. And now we can know the who God is, because we have witnessed the Son and have seen His glory.And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
However, John's point here of having seen the glory of the Son is to testify that Yeshua truly is the Son of God. John knows that He is the Son of God, for John has indeed seen his glory, he is an eyewitness to the Word, and therefore we know this testimony that he is setting forth is true.
John 1:15-17
John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
But what is most interesting is the comparison between Moses and Yeshua. The gospel of John is very Jewish, and one of his concerns is to understanding the coming of the Son of God in light of the first century Jewish world view. How he, and the other apostles I might add, do this is by recognizing that in Moses we have been given the Law, the an understanding of righteousness and God's justice. But in Yeshua the Christ we God graciousness and the fullness of God's mind. For though God is far above us and we cannot see Him, He has made Himself known to us through Yeshua the Christ!
For this reason I say Merry Christmas, and to challenge you to take the time and think about what it means for the Word to become flesh, for the true God of glory to come to us, even when we were yet sinners, knowing full well what the end of His time on Earth would bring.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
November 1, 2008
All Saints Day
I'm taking a brief break in my personality series to say a few words about All Saints Day. As many might know, Halloween was originally All Hallows Eve. This was the day before All Hallows Day, a.k.a. All Saints Day.
Originally, this was a day that was set aside to celebrate the day of death for all the martyrs of the church, because celebrating each individually became too cumbersome. Eventually it was expanded to celebrate all of the saints of the church when persecution died down. It became a day devoted to acknowledging the faithful in the church, and remembering the great heroes of the faith. It is a wonderful holiday to recognize what the power of the Spirit can truly do in us.
So, I wish to celebrate this day by reciting one of the entries from the book Jesus Freaks [by DC Talk and the Voice of Martyrs, (Tulsa, OK: Albury Pub., 1999)]. This is one of my favorite stories in book. '...' or {} are used to note an edit for the sake of keeping this a manageable length. For a reference, this is found starting on page 30:
Ivan lived only another 2 years. On July 11, 1972, he sent a letter to his parents bidding goodbye, and encouraging them on in the faith. A few days after the letter arrived, they received his body, stabbed 6 times, severely beaten, and eventually drowned. But he hung on to his faith!
Atheists tell me that they have no interest in the gospel because they don't need a crutch to get through life. For all those out there who think that, I have one thing to tell you:
People don't die for crutches.
Praise the name of the Father: Halleluab.
Praise the name of the Son: Halleluben.
Praise the name of the Spirit: Halleluruach.
Praise the name of God: Halleluyah!
Originally, this was a day that was set aside to celebrate the day of death for all the martyrs of the church, because celebrating each individually became too cumbersome. Eventually it was expanded to celebrate all of the saints of the church when persecution died down. It became a day devoted to acknowledging the faithful in the church, and remembering the great heroes of the faith. It is a wonderful holiday to recognize what the power of the Spirit can truly do in us.
So, I wish to celebrate this day by reciting one of the entries from the book Jesus Freaks [by DC Talk and the Voice of Martyrs, (Tulsa, OK: Albury Pub., 1999)]. This is one of my favorite stories in book. '...' or {} are used to note an edit for the sake of keeping this a manageable length. For a reference, this is found starting on page 30:
Oh, if only that was so for those of us in America. How easily do Christians here renounce their nature to sing. And, for us, it is not the bitter cold that threatens, but popularity and respect. We are the seeds grown among the weeds, choked out and bearing no fruit.Strengthened by Angels
Ivan Moiseyev, 18 years old, USSR 1970Although he had never been there before, Private Ivan "Vanya" Moiseyev knew what awaited him at the Major's office. The Communists were endlessly calling him to headquarters for talks, trying to "re-educate" him, to talk him out of his faith in God.
It was lunchtime... As Moiseyev walked along the snowy sidewalk, he praised God for this time alone, time to sing and pray. The morning was so bright, at first Moiseyev didn't notice; suddenly, it caught his eye. A bright star began to fall from heaven... He looked up to see an angel above him, bright and powerful. Moiseyev's heart was filled with joy-- and fear... Then the angel spoke:
"Ivan, go. Don't be afraid. I am with you."
Ivan couldn't speak, but his joy was like fire within him. Somehow he made it to Major Gidendo's office, and knocked quietly at the door.
{To teach Ivan a lessen, the Major commanded Ivan to spend all night, out in -13 degree weather, in summer uniform until he renounces his faith}
That night, as the bugle sounded, Ivan made his way down the stairs of the barracks and into the snowy street. He recoiled from the icy blast of wind that burned his ears and made his eyes water. His thin, summer uniform was no help in the bitter cold. He glanced at his watch. It was one minute after 10.
Tonight, he would have a long time to pray! But for the first time since he had been in the Soviet army, prayer did not come easily. He was worried. Could he stand out here all night? What if he froze to death?...
Then he remembered the angel who had visited him that morning... Suddenly he realized the angel's words had been for tonight! Although he could no longer see him, Moiseyev knew the angel was still there with him. He began to pray fervently.
It was 12:30 when he was distracted from his prayers by the crunching of snow. Bundled in their overcoats, hats and boots, three officers were slowly making their way toward him.
"Private Moiseyev, have you changed your mind yet? Are you ready to come in and get warm?"
"No, comrade officers. As much as I want to come in and go to bed, I cannot. I will never agree to remain silent about God." ...
"Do you plan to stand out here all night long?"
"I don't see how anything else is possible, and God is helping me." Ivan checked his hands-- they were cold, but not too cold. He could still move his toes easily. It was a miracle! He looked at the officers and could see that even in their coats they were already shaking from the cold. They were stamping their feet and slapping their hands, impatient to return to their heated barracks.
"You'll feel differently in another hour"...
For the next 12 nights, Ivan continued to stand in the street outside his barracks. Miraculously, he did not freeze, nor did he beg for mercy. Ivan continued to speak about his faith to his comrades and officers. He sang about the glory of Jesus Christ in his barracks, though this was strictly prohibited. To those who threatened him, he replied, "A lark threatened with death for singing would still continue to sing. She cannot renounce her nature. Neither can we Christians."...
Ivan lived only another 2 years. On July 11, 1972, he sent a letter to his parents bidding goodbye, and encouraging them on in the faith. A few days after the letter arrived, they received his body, stabbed 6 times, severely beaten, and eventually drowned. But he hung on to his faith!
Atheists tell me that they have no interest in the gospel because they don't need a crutch to get through life. For all those out there who think that, I have one thing to tell you:
People don't die for crutches.
Praise the name of the Father: Halleluab.
Praise the name of the Son: Halleluben.
Praise the name of the Spirit: Halleluruach.
Praise the name of God: Halleluyah!
August 18, 2008
Thoughts on Christmas
Appropriately so, this was originally posted Decembor 30th, 2004. Well within my first semestier at Northeastern Seminary, this is my first reflection on my classes. Seminary will go on to strongly influence what I will write in the future, as well as my personality, tone, and voice.
Considering that it is now August, it may be wierd that I will be putting thoughts on Christmas up. However, the celebration of Christmas is something that Christians should hold throughout the year, as well as Easter. (Actually, even more so with Easter IMO). So here are some thoughts I had on Christmas 4 years ago, and I do still agree with them:
What is the most important event in all world history? Some Christians say that is is the death of Christ, some the resurrection of Christ. But if one were to guess by the manner of which Christians celebrate their faith, they would say that it was the birth of faith.
The Bible is clear on the subject: In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus) Christ from the dead (I Peter 1:3b) So then, why do Christians place so much importance on Christmas instead of Easter?
A while back, I remember that a person said that Christmas was just as important as Easter since Christmas had to happen in order for Easter to happen. I remember getting rather upset with him because I know that opinion is based more on the love of the holiday then the siginificance of the event. Christ had to speak his first words in order to be crucified and we dont celebrate that. We dont celebrate Christ's first steps, or Christ's baptism. Therefore the one being nessacary for the occurance of the other is not a sufficient answer to the question. What is the relevance of Christmas.?
Christmas is based upon the incarnation of the Word. The relevance is that God humbled himself enough to come down to the earth in the form of a man. It is that sacrifice that we are celebrating. It is the knowledge that God loved us so much as to get his hands dirty with all of our crud. That is the meaning of Christmas, God's love for us. Everything else is merely a hollow reflection if that isn't at the heart of it.
Considering that it is now August, it may be wierd that I will be putting thoughts on Christmas up. However, the celebration of Christmas is something that Christians should hold throughout the year, as well as Easter. (Actually, even more so with Easter IMO). So here are some thoughts I had on Christmas 4 years ago, and I do still agree with them:
What is the most important event in all world history? Some Christians say that is is the death of Christ, some the resurrection of Christ. But if one were to guess by the manner of which Christians celebrate their faith, they would say that it was the birth of faith.
The Bible is clear on the subject: In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Yeshua (Jesus) Christ from the dead (I Peter 1:3b) So then, why do Christians place so much importance on Christmas instead of Easter?
A while back, I remember that a person said that Christmas was just as important as Easter since Christmas had to happen in order for Easter to happen. I remember getting rather upset with him because I know that opinion is based more on the love of the holiday then the siginificance of the event. Christ had to speak his first words in order to be crucified and we dont celebrate that. We dont celebrate Christ's first steps, or Christ's baptism. Therefore the one being nessacary for the occurance of the other is not a sufficient answer to the question. What is the relevance of Christmas.?
Christmas is based upon the incarnation of the Word. The relevance is that God humbled himself enough to come down to the earth in the form of a man. It is that sacrifice that we are celebrating. It is the knowledge that God loved us so much as to get his hands dirty with all of our crud. That is the meaning of Christmas, God's love for us. Everything else is merely a hollow reflection if that isn't at the heart of it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
