I know Tom has a differing perspective on this festive season, but I am normally a big fan of Christmas – I love the carols, the lights, the presents and cards, the time spent with family. Santa Claus still visits not just the children, but the adults in our house! (Though we told the children when they were very small that Santa was all make-believe, but that we could enjoy it anyway.)
Yet I must admit to not feeling particularly ‘Christmassy’ this year, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Not that it should be our aim, of course, as Christians, to feel the ‘magic’ of Christmas, as some of the pop songs tell us.
Yet, despite events conspiring to dampen my enthusiasm for the glitter and baubles of the season, the real wonder of the nativity still absolutely blows my mind, as it does each year when I reflect on it.
The real wonder of the nativity still absolutely blows my mind.
Emily’s theology
Emily, my daughter, brought the wonder of it to me a few weeks ago. She loves Christmas carols (and frequently sings them loudly and very out of tune). One that she likes is the advent hymn, ‘O come O come, Emmanuel’. And she told me that Emmanuel means ‘party with God’. I’m not quite sure where she got that from, and though most definitely not a strict translation, it struck me as quite profound.
The Christian life can sometimes seem hard, challenging, and really quite difficult. When we consider Christ’s call to us to take up our cross, and follow Him, there is no denying the sacrifice involved at times.
But it also should bring great joy, and Christmas time is a wonderful time to celebrate that joy.
God dwells with us
Many Christmas services include the apostle John’s description of the incarnation, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (Jn 1:14). The word used for ‘made his dwelling’ is ‘tabernacled’ or ‘Eskeenoose’, which brings in a reference to the biblical feast of Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles.
I think this, in itself, makes the time of the Feast of Tabernacles to be a strong contender for the time of year of Jesus’ birth (but that’s an academic debate for another time). This joyous feast is eight days long, combining the harvest festival and a celebration of God’s provision and presence with the Israelites in the desert. (Jews celebrating it live out in little booths – temporary shelters, bedecked with greenery – and feast together.)
Feasting with God
God dwelling with us, or Jesus ‘tabernacling’ with us, is a true cause for celebration. For when Jesus comes to dwell with us, which He does to all who invite Him into their lives, it’s not just to tell us what to do, or any of the many other facets of the Christian life. It’s to feast with us also.
God dwelling with us, or Jesus ‘tabernacling’ with us, is a true cause for celebration.
For Revelation 3:20 tells us Jesus’ words: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
What with the war in Ukraine, the various strikes and the cost-of-living crisis, among other things, you, like me, may not particularly be in the mood for celebrating this year. But that doesn’t take away from the amazing fact that Jesus came into our world to be part of our lives – in the celebrations, in the day-to-day humdrum, and in the dark times.
For he is with us always, not just at Christmas. As He said when giving the disciples the ‘Great Commission’: “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:20).
Whether you’re having a big celebration this year, or on your own, whether enjoying good times, or struggling, remember with joy that Jesus is here, with you, today, Christmas Day, and to the end of the age.
And that’s worth a little party with our God.
