Finding Our Way to Christmas

REFLECTIONS
December 6, 2009

Have you ever seen something that was there all along, but in some way you’ve just witnessed it for the first time. This is a bit like what happened to the religious leaders in Jerusalem when they went to see John the Baptist, as recorded in John. Though they were well aware of the prophetic stories in Isaiah foretelling of a messenger to come before the Messiah, either John or his message was not what they had in mind. When they came upon him they asked who he was and he told them he was not the Messiah. In Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible the story continues, they pressed him, “Who, then? Elijah?” “I am not”. “The prophet?” “No.” Exasperated they said, “Who then? We need an answer for those who sent us. Tell us something, anything about yourself.” “I’m thunder in the desert. ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I’m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.”

Have you ever been in the desert during a thunder storm? Before the thunder comes a great light. This shines nearly bright as day. It is both awesome and revealing. Here John says that after the thunder he preaches, an even greater light will be revealed, but implicit in the narrative is that the people need a certain level of patience. The Bible story indicates this was not the case. To see something in a new light is the work of a patient soul, this in large measure is what Advent is all about. Think of Advent as a time of anticipation to be in deep thought considering all the facets of the powerful gift we are given at Christmas. However, somewhere along the way the prelude to the party which Advent was intended to be has become an extension of Christmas. It seems we throw out the Halloween pumpkins and immediately put up the Christmas lights. The malls and radio stations seem to play nothing but Christmas music from Thanksgiving on.

Early in my professional ministry (as opposed to the ministry we each are called as believers) armed with the high powered theological education I had acquired, I worked diligently to keep the seasons of Advent and Christmas clear and distinct within the context of worship. Then I began to note what the Bible records as murmuring. That bit of recreational griping which occurs when people are unhappy. On the second or third Sunday when we had not yet sung a Christmas carol, a parishioner or two would ask when this might happen. I would explain this was a separate season, sometimes even write an article on the theology and rationale. Yet every year this same pattern occurred. A beloved member faxed a list of favorite Christmas carols. This included Away in a Manger to Jingle Bell Rock. It was at this point I consulted a higher power. This is to say a more seasoned pastor. After listening to my story, my friend said the following, “Joey we both went to the same graduate school and received the same theological and liturgical training. What I have learned is that people want to sing Christmas carols. So we sing them early and we sing them all. Remember there is ample evidence Jesus was a Leo rather than a Sagittarian. Besides, the Advent and Christmas seasons are the greatest in terms of giving, so why not sing every one and be blest.” Who needs lightning or thunder when you have an old sage with a pen light pointing the way from rigid interpretation to a loving understanding of what Advent might actually be about?

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601