Cradle.Cross.Comfort.

You might remember John Donne from English Lit. Class. A passionate dude and we’re talking 17^th century England, here. If you don’t believe me, check out his poem The Ecstasy. Many forget this 17th c. man, having trusted his life to Jesus, spent his later years as a London Pastor at St. Paul's Cathedral. I ran across something he wrote about the birth of Christ in one of his Christmas day sermons.

The whole of Christ's life was a continual passion; others die martyrs, but Christ was born a martyr. He found a Golgotha, where he was crucified, even in Bethlehem, where he was born; for to his tenderness then the straws were almost as sharp as the thorns after, and the manger as uneasy at first as the cross at last. His birth and death were but one continual act, and his Christmas Day and his Good Friday are but the evening and the morning of one and the same day. From the cradle to the cross is an inseparable line.

I recall Christ being misunderstood in his adult ministry, insulted and mocked by his enemies, betrayed by his friends during Holy week, persecuted by religious leaders, beaten by strangers, and finally murdered by the powers-that-be in a most public & humiliating fashion. In other words, I’m continually struck by the fact that, from ages 27-30, Christ was never at home - except during these little moments like a retreat to be with his Father or a few minutes of fellowship with Moses & Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration (how sweet those moments must have been for Jesus).

John Donne

Discomfort at the Cradle. However as Donne correctly points out, the incarnation itself -- God taking on flesh & blood through this miraculous birth -- must've been remarkably discomforting and alienating for Jesus. If wasn't for taking on God's just punishment for our sin, the birth would’ve been as discomforting as cross. The physical aspect alone must've been sent a shock down the Trinitarian backbone – the God all of eternity not only becoming a man, but a tiny, 7 lbs., 4 oz baby (unless you think he was an XXL baby because he was God).

Discomfort at Childhood. That discomfort, that alienation must've then continued through his childhood. Consider Jesus' childhood as well as the teenage years. Imagine watching your friends, schoolmates, and fellow temple parishoners grow up to dream of marrying a woman, pursuing a career, having kids, seeing their g-kids. He could never relate. He knew his road would lead to an early death -- the road to Calvary. So the very persons he loved, indeed those he came to save, would grow increasingly distant as both they & he grew older.

Christmas can be a lonely time, even for people who will be with family but especially for those who will be without. We tend to seek comfort during the Holiday season more than any other time. Gifts, carols, well-wishes, Christmas Cookies, traditions with family like making Christmas cookies, then eating more Christmas Cookies. And praise God for these because they each have the potential to remind us of our true home in Christ.

Discomfort at the Cross. This is the Christ whose discomfort in Bethlehem culminated on a hill outside the walls of Jerusalem, where he was alienated not only from the world but from God the Father. The Father alienated His Son while the latter took the sins of the world upon Himself (Mark 15:34; cf. II Corinthians 5:21).

If you trust in Jesus and find yourself in a place of discomfort and alienation this holiday season, don't lose heart -- that's where Jesus is (Hebrews 13:12-13). You will find him there. You see, he lived his whole life there beginning at birth -- so that through seeking him by faith, you will find comfort and a home for Christmas.

A Christmas Prayer (in response to violence)

Author Max Lucado penned a brilliant and, in my humble opinion, inspired little prayer in response to what seems like escalating violence all around the world. I hope and pray it provides the encouragement needed to run to a Savior who is intimately acquainted with suffering and alienation (but also triumph!).



A Christmas Prayer

Dear Jesus,

It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord.  These children, Lord.  Innocence violated.  Raw evil demonstrated.

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas.  But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty.  Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

Hopefully,
Your Children

Jesus' birth: Discomforting Sign of things to come

You might remember John Donne from English Lit. Class. Passionate dude. Many forget that this 17th century man, having trusted his life to Christ, spent his later years as a London Pastor at St. Paul's Cathedral. I ran across something he wrote about the birth of Christ in The Book of Uncommon Prayers:

The whole of Christ's life was a continual passion; others die martyrs, but Christ was born a martyr. He found a Golgotha, where he was crucified, even in Bethlehem, where he was born; for to his tenderness then the straws were almost as sharp as the thorns after, and the manger as uneasy at first as the cross at last. His birth and death were but one continual act, and his Christmas Day and his Good Friday are but the evening and the morning of one and the same day. From the creche to the cross is an inseparable line.

I recall Christ being misunderstood in his adult ministry, insulted and mocked by his enemies, betrayed by his friends during Holy week, persecuted by religious leaders, beaten by strangers, and finally murdered by the powers-that-be in a most public & humiliating fashion. In other words, from ages 27-30, I am continually struck by the fact that Christ was never at home (except during these little moments like a retreat to be with his father or a few minutes of fellowship with Moses & Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration -- how sweet those moments must have been for Jesus).

But as Donne correctly points out, the incarnation -- God taking on flesh & blood through this miraculous birth -- itself must've been so darn discomforting and alienating for Jesus. If it wasn't for his taking on God's just wrath for our sin at the cross, I'd say Jesus' birth would be as discomforting as the cross. The physical aspect of it must've been -- God all of eternity, then not only becoming a man, but a tiny, 7 lbs., 4 oz baby (unless you think he was an extra huge baby because he was God). This is why C.S. Lewis said of the incarnation, "If you wish to get the hang of it, imagine what it would be like to inhabit the body of a slug, or a lobster, or a crab."

That discomfort, that alienation must've then continued through his childhood. I think about Jesus' childhood a lot as well as the teenage years. Imagine, and I am speaking with regard to the human side of Jesus, seeing your friends, schoolmates, temple parishoners grow up to dream of marrying a woman, pursuing a career, having kids, seeing their grandkids. He could never relate as he knew his road would lead to an early death -- the road to Calvary.

Christmas can be a lonely time, even for people who will with family but especially those who will be without. I think we tend to seek comfort during the Holiday season more than any other time. Although we seek it a lot.

Somewhat recently, myself and the elders of our church were discussing ways to reach people for Jesus through Servant Evangelism. We spoke of giving away bottles of water with "no strings attached" but simply communicating to people that God loves them. But we immediately voiced the desire that we shouldn't do this by just going up to "strangers," as that would be unnatural, but we should have a picnic or barbeque at a local park with the whole church and then walk up to people who are also at the park and offer them a beverage or plate of food. In and of itself, not a bad idea -- but if I'm honest with myself, the motive was comfort. Let's maneuver or even wait for circumstances that allow the least possible discomfort and feeling of alienation from the world.

Yet this was Jesus' whole life -- and for our sake. So, through the Apostle Peter, his Word commands:

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles (unbelievers) honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation (I Peter 2:11-12).

Just as Christ was a sojourner, so are we. Just as he was never at home here (an exile), neither are we. When looking for peace and comfort during the Holiday Season, recall that you and I are not destined to find it in carols, Christmas Cookies, traditions with family -- these are all hints of the home and praise God for them because they just may possibly remind us of our true home -- in Christ. Christ whose discomfort in Bethlehem culminated on a hill outside the walls of Jerusalem, where he was alienated not only from the world but from God the Father. The Father alienated Christ while His Son took on the sins of the world.

If you trust in Jesus and find yourself in a place of discomfort and alienation this holiday season, don't worry -- that's where Jesus is. You will find him there. You see, he lived his whole life there beginning at birth -- so that through seeking him by faith, you will find comfort and a home for Christmas.