Christmas is a time of joy – or at least it is supposed to be. Right from the beginning, the angel told the shepherds: "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people" (Luke 2:10b) and when the wise men arrived at Mary and Joseph they were "overjoyed" (Matt. 3:10). While there also is pain in the Christmas story, as in the senseless slaughter of all male boys below the age of two in Bethlehem, or the, though not explicitly mentioned, but surely very real pain for Mary in giving birth, the overriding message is joy. The story of how God in Christ emptied himself of all his glory and was born as a vulnerable baby right into our world is not only an amazing but joyful story.
There is, however, also an element of sadness in the Christmas story, as John tells it in his gospel. John writes, not as a reporter at the scene describing the events as they happened, but as a theologian, looking back and explaining the meaning of the events, telling what really happened and what might get lost and forgotten behind angels, shepherds, wise men etc. In a few verses, he captures the essence of the Christmas message ending with the utterly amazing and totally mind blowing statement that
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only true Son,
who came from the Father full of grace and truth.
Even when only partly understood, and I doubt any of us has the ability to fully understand the depth and richness of this truth, it cannot help but fill us with joy – especially when we can add our own personal 'Amen' to when John says "We have seen his glory!"
I need, however, to get back to the sad part, not because I want to spoil the joy, but to remind us of the stark reality John also portrays. Just a few lines before John penned the statement above he tells that, "He came to that which was his own" and then continues with the sad dimension of the Christmas gospel
But his own did not receive him.
This, of course, is not a reflection solely on the events of Christmas, but written as a reflection of the life and ministry of Jesus between his birth and ascension. This sad summing up does not reflect upon Jesus, but on his people, his own people. God himself came to them, walked in their midst, reached out to them, wanted to ‘gather them as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings' – but they were not willing (Matt. 23:37).
Jesus was not what the Jews leaders had expected, he did not fit into their ideas of how the Messiah should look, act and speak. They were not able, or rather willing to let go of their preconceived ideas, their traditions, not to mention their positions, and so they did not see the Son of God. They did not behold his glory but saw only an annoying and troublesome Galilee, whom they wished would go away.
It is easy, with the benefit of hindsight, to shake our heads in disbelief over the people. The truth, however, is that we, as they, stand in the danger of not recognising, and therefore not receiving, God when he comes to us. We risk being limited, maybe even bound, by our ideas and beliefs, our past experiences and understanding, our fear of stepping into the unknown, with the danger of losing position, respect and, maybe more than anything else, control and so, as the Jewish leaders, turn our back to God, not receiving him when he comes to us.
Many years ago, I participated in a church planting conference. As I arrived at the church where the conference was held a young man caught my eye. He looked a little bit scruffy, at least compared to all the leaders arriving for the conference. His jeans were well worn and his T-Shirt washed more than one time too many. His hair was somewhat long, some days had passed since his last shave and, maybe worst of all actually wore an earring. As I smiled at him I concluded that he had come to see someone from the church, and rushed past to avoid being approached by him.
It turned out he was one of the main speakers, a leader of a radical church planting ministry that was reaching into areas where no established church dared to go! He did not fit my expectations, my mind was closed, and I almost missed the blessing of his ministry, because surely God could not come through someone like him?
As we celebrate Advent, let us remember that God not only came, he will not only come, but that he is coming, again and again, to his people. Rather than close our minds and hearts, let us, as Oswald Chambers said
"Live in a constant state of expectancy,
and leave room for God to come in as He decides."
Let us change our mindset from a default position of ‘This cannot be God' every time something different or new happens in or around us, but rather ask ‘Is this you God?". When we are willing to be open our door, to take the risk, then he will come in and share fellowship with us. We will then see ‘his glory, the glory the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truths" in unexpected ways, unexpected places and through unexpected people.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus – and let us be ready to receive you.
Happy Advent.