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Monday, December 04, 2006
Watch Out For Christmas
Jeremiah 33:14-16; Luke 21:25-36
It's natural to develop warm and fuzzy feelings about Christmas... Newborn baby in a stable... Angel choir up above... Lowly shepherds first to get the word and see the miraculous scene... To say nothing of family traditions and tender memories of Christmases past. So this Luke passage is a shocker, with Jesus foretelling all kinds of gloom and doom before God gets done with this world. Who chose that text to begin our Advent season of getting ready for Christmas?!
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You've got to be careful about knowing what you know about God.
I mean, our Christian faith is based on God's revelation of The Truth, about the world and about ourselves. And The Truth has set us free in every which way.
But it's far too easy to presume that Truth A plus Truth B divided by Truth C must equal Truth D. Pure and simple.
This episode in Luke 21 is a strong antidote to that kind of assumption.
In context, Jesus' disciples are duly impressed with the glory of the Temple in Jerusalem, and they say so. All majestic marble and gold, standing tall and proud for all to admire from every direction, this Palace of the Lord seems eternally secure. And, in its shadow, the people of the Lord are safe as well.
But Jesus warns them the Temple will one day be reduced to rubble, and the surrounding Holy City with it. He then predicts all kinds of doom and disaster sure to come when God gets good and ready. All of that before the Kingdom of Heaven can ever come on earth as promised.
Whew. What's got into ol' Jesus? Has he totally lost his cool and blown his proverbial top?
Well, for one thing, I see him showing the disciples God's long-range view for the world. We can never rush God's schedule, or force God's hand. You might as well try pushing a river to make it flow faster.
He's also preparing them for the long haul of discipleship. Faith is no cure-all in this troubled, troubling world. Hard times will surely happen even if you believe in God with all your heart. Our comfort comes in knowing that God is never surprised by catastrophes, and God is right there with us when they happen.
Jesus also promises, at long last, a full salvation. Temples come and go. They're basically visual aids for the faith of people -- who are going to last forever.
What Jesus does here from start to finish is challenge his followers -- then and now -- to pay attention! Assume nothing, and so be open to learning everything. Watch out for new information, in the details, on short notice, day by day.
Which brings us to Advent, the season of preparing one day at a time for the great festival of Christmas.
Whoever put together the schedule of Bible readings for Advent gets A+ with a Gold Star, in my book. With a hot sharp blade they cut right through our tendency to sentimentalize Christmas, starting the whole season with this cataclysmic prophecy of the second coming of Christ.
If you want to know the whole truth about God's gift to the world in Christ, I read them saying, then watch out about Christmas! Assume nothing. Get ready to learn everything all over again.
I hope each of you gets a lot of good surprises this Christmas. Gifts that say "I love you," gatherings that shape happy new memories, and many more blessings besides.
I hope, even more, that on the way towards Christmas you'll be surprised with new insights about God's way with the world. Some sign from God that says "I love you," more than a few good chances to share that love around, just when and how it's needed most.
Watch out! With open eyes and an open heart.
posted by Jack Buckley at
2:18 PM
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