My brother recently posted a status on his Facebook page that stirred up a tiny controversy that has great implications. Joseph posted a quote from a popular Lecrae song, saying "If Jesus wasn't executed, there's no celebration." This is referring to Galatians 6:14 where Paul writes that he cannot boast in anything except the brutal murder of Jesus Christ, because through this he and every Christian has been set free from sin.
This post itself wasn't what brought about the discussion, but it was the time of year that this was posted. A couple of Joseph's friends (who are my friends as well) poked a little fun at him for posting a song about the crucifixion during Christmas time. Of course, the posts were in jest, and I of all people have an appreciation for teasing, especially my little brother. But I think this joking reveals a subtle (but important) issue in Christianity today.
We want to divorce the idea of Jesus coming to earth as a baby from His mission. In fact, we'd rather not think of anything bad when we think of Jesus' birth. We want to remember a Silent Night, in which Jesus laid Away in a Manger, no crying He made... but that's not the reality of the events surrounding Jesus' birth.
In a culture known for hospitality (travelers would stay with friends, or even in strangers' homes), there was no room for Jesus, even in the Inn. He was rejected from His birth. He was put up in "barn" or more likely a cave where the animals were kept. This place was nasty. It was before power-washers and cleaning supplies and electricity. It was stinky, and when Jesus was born, He was placed in a feeding trough.
Why do we domesticate Jesus' birth so much? Why would we rather throw a baby shower than remember the funeral procession for Jesus? Perhaps we would rather think happy thoughts about His birth than to be reminded of the reason He had to come -- our sin. Jesus came from heaven, a place of riches beyond compare, to a house only fit for animals. He got dirty for us, He became uncomfortable for us.
But most importantly, He came to die. That was His job. He set aside His power, glory, and relationship with the Father to become obedient, even unto death. His birth was overshadowed by the cross. The Wise Men who brought gifts for the little baby Jesus (who was probably about 2 when they found him), brought Myrrh, a spice used to anoint dead people. They had no business giving that to a little two year old, yet there it was, a picture of the cross to come. And when Jesus was young, His family had to flee to Egypt to escape the massacre of all the boys that Herod killed, knowing that Baby Jesus was all-powerful.
So yes, there's good reason to celebrate; Jesus has come to earth! He has come, as a baby, in the most unassuming of ways. So we rejoice in His birth, but not simply because babys are cute, and it's fun to think about little baby Jesus, but because He came to set us free from the sickening slavery of sin. He came, ready to die.
We hold these things in tension. God didn't give us an easy way out. We should not simply celebrate Jesus' birth at Christmas and His death on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter, but we should always remember these things. They are held in tension, as the sacrifice for our sins is laid in a manger, just a baby.
As I do that, I find it helpful to look through Christmas hymns that are cross-centered. There is a beautiful way to hold these things in tension, and often times hymn-writers get it right. So this Christmas, as you sing songs, read over the verses you sing, and also read the verses that are skipped over. And celebrate Jesus, born to die, and to be raised again.
Here's a couple of examples:
From Hark, The Herald Angels Sing:
Mild He lays His glories by,
Born that men no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
What Child is This:
Why lies He in such mean estate,
This post itself wasn't what brought about the discussion, but it was the time of year that this was posted. A couple of Joseph's friends (who are my friends as well) poked a little fun at him for posting a song about the crucifixion during Christmas time. Of course, the posts were in jest, and I of all people have an appreciation for teasing, especially my little brother. But I think this joking reveals a subtle (but important) issue in Christianity today.
In a culture known for hospitality (travelers would stay with friends, or even in strangers' homes), there was no room for Jesus, even in the Inn. He was rejected from His birth. He was put up in "barn" or more likely a cave where the animals were kept. This place was nasty. It was before power-washers and cleaning supplies and electricity. It was stinky, and when Jesus was born, He was placed in a feeding trough.
Why do we domesticate Jesus' birth so much? Why would we rather throw a baby shower than remember the funeral procession for Jesus? Perhaps we would rather think happy thoughts about His birth than to be reminded of the reason He had to come -- our sin. Jesus came from heaven, a place of riches beyond compare, to a house only fit for animals. He got dirty for us, He became uncomfortable for us.
But most importantly, He came to die. That was His job. He set aside His power, glory, and relationship with the Father to become obedient, even unto death. His birth was overshadowed by the cross. The Wise Men who brought gifts for the little baby Jesus (who was probably about 2 when they found him), brought Myrrh, a spice used to anoint dead people. They had no business giving that to a little two year old, yet there it was, a picture of the cross to come. And when Jesus was young, His family had to flee to Egypt to escape the massacre of all the boys that Herod killed, knowing that Baby Jesus was all-powerful.
So yes, there's good reason to celebrate; Jesus has come to earth! He has come, as a baby, in the most unassuming of ways. So we rejoice in His birth, but not simply because babys are cute, and it's fun to think about little baby Jesus, but because He came to set us free from the sickening slavery of sin. He came, ready to die.
We hold these things in tension. God didn't give us an easy way out. We should not simply celebrate Jesus' birth at Christmas and His death on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter, but we should always remember these things. They are held in tension, as the sacrifice for our sins is laid in a manger, just a baby.
As I do that, I find it helpful to look through Christmas hymns that are cross-centered. There is a beautiful way to hold these things in tension, and often times hymn-writers get it right. So this Christmas, as you sing songs, read over the verses you sing, and also read the verses that are skipped over. And celebrate Jesus, born to die, and to be raised again.
From Hark, The Herald Angels Sing:
Mild He lays His glories by,
Born that men no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
What Child is This:
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce him through,
The Cross be borne for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word Made Flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary!
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