Christmas Musing

My favorite Christmas carol is “Oh Holy Night,” because it reminds me that the world is pining for the new creation and the stars are shining in anticipation.

I know some people don’t believe that there is anything beyond and in control of this universe, and that the stars are alight due to the nuclear reactions of atoms in their cores, not because they are worshipping the God who created and sustains them.  That’s okay.  I have no definitive scientific proof.  But I have decided through much study and thought that it is not unreasonable to accept Christianity as the truth that shapes the world.

N.T. Wright wrote “Surprised by Hope,” to revitalize the Church’s idea of heaven and the resurrection.  I just finished reading it, and it is so appropriate for Christmas, even though it’s more about Easter.

Most Christmas church services I’ve been to do a great job of recognizing Christ’s birth and glorifying Him.  Most services make sure to emphasize that Christ is the personal savior of our sins, a bringer of hope and joy.  The service I went to tonight was beautiful, heart-felt and no doubt Spirit-filled, but I felt this bone-deep empty feeling due to the absence of any mention of the resurrection and the reason to have hope and joy.

They don’t really mention that Heaven will come to Earth and all creation will be redeemed.  Evil will be purged from all space and time and matter.  We will be resurrected into new physical-spiritual bodies on a new earth, not just exist in some mystical heavenly space.  And Christ will rule over all, with us as his co-rulers.

It actually sounds kind of crazy and radical when you think about it, but that part of Jesus’ message was just as important as the individual forgiveness of sins part. 

I just think that when we talk of our hope and our reason for glorifying the birth of Christ, we should not fail to mention these things.  Especially when Christmas Eve services are often populated by once-a-year church attendees who may not fully understand the basic goodness and loveliness of genuine Christian doctrine.  These are my thoughts.