The Radical Story of Christmas
By: M.J. Bishop
Tags: Christmas, Religion, Advent, Jesus, Christianity

Have you heard the saying, “Keep Christ in Christmas?” Or what about, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season?” Are those just ways to sell bumper stickers to Christians or is there something deeper to consider?

Advent is the traditional word for the season around Christmas. It is the celebration of the “arrival” (Latin: adventus) of Jesus in both his nativity and second coming. Depending on your church background, Advent is an annual forty-day deep dive filled with traditions that place you in a posture of waiting, listening, and preparation. For others, it is just as traditional but filled with trees, lights, music, family, and nativity scenes.

We all know the story of Christmas and our traditions keep Jesus at the center to one degree or another. But what often gets missed is the deeper meaning of Advent. If Jesus has arrived, what does that mean for the world?

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Most evangelical readings around Advent come from Matthew or Luke’s nativity stories, but to answer this question, we need to turn to John:

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1–2, NLT)

The point of this famous poem is not simply to prove Jesus’ divinity or his presence at creation. Rather, it is a retelling of the creation story centered around the revelation of the incarnate presence of Jesus.

To “incarnate” something is to invest it with bodily form or make it comprehensible. In the next few verses, John describes how Jesus is the true Light that the darkness cannot extinguish. When a light comes on in a dark room, you can finally see what is going on and comprehend reality. That is the nature of incarnation.

John’s poem shows how from the beginning of time, the Light / Word has been present with humanity in various forms. When Jesus arrived, it should have been very clear that he was the fulfillment of every way God had revealed himself up until that point. However:

“He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.” (John 1:10–11, NLT)

N.T. Wright says that there were five ways God revealed his nature to humanity prior to Jesus:

Word, Wisdom, Law, Temple, and Spirit.

First, there is the Word.

“Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3, NLT) “The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.” (Psalm 33:6, NLT)

Everything in creation begins with the Word. From creation to the calling of Abraham to Moses to King David and the Prophets. When God speaks, his Word works to make things happen. Order is established. Nations are called into being. Covenants are sealed. Judgment is rendered. Justice is secured.

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But Word has a partner, which is often described as a female presence in the Bible:

“O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.” (Psalm 104:24, NLT)

Wisdom is in partnership with the Word, providing the relational and paternal context of the Word’s actions.

Next, there are two themes of incarnation that were direct and concrete, Law and Temple. N.T. Wright says:

“God gave Israel the Law, not just as a set of instructions but as the written mode of his own presence, guiding and directing them and shaping their national and personal lives. And, along with the Law, God gave his people his own strange, glorious presence, in the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, dwelling in the Tent or Tabernacle…God, it seems, wants to dwell in the midst of his people, and to do so both as the sovereign Lord and the one who puts things right, by the justice of the Law and by the worship and sacrifices in the Temple.” (N.T. Wright, Christmas Morning Sermon, 2008)

These were the tangible means of God’s incarnation for the people of Israel. But, there was also the promise of Spirit, which only seemed to be available during special times and in special places. The Spirit is the abiding presence of God which birthed creation (the Breath of Life) but was not immediately available or accessible.

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In all these ways, God could be known to his people, but only to his people. Outside Israel, there was only darkness, confusion, and deception. In John’s Advent poem, he shows how everything about these five themes of incarnation were fulfilled in the person of Jesus.

Jesus is Word / Wisdom, giving life and creating everything.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law, initiating a way of life through his teaching and Spirit that gives everyone access to the tangible Kingdom of God that is among us.

Jesus is the new Temple, where heaven and earth meet, sins are forgiven, healing happens, and the presence of God dwells in our midst.

“So the Word became human and made his home [literally “tabernacled”] among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:14, NLT)

Finally, Jesus is Spirit. The promised Spirit from the prophets of old has been poured out on all flesh, young and old. Now, the abiding presence of God is with us and will never be taken away.

This is what Christmas is all about.

Of course, put this way, you begin to see how the Advent is incredibly radical. Jesus is reshaping the world by his Kingdom and overthrowing the kingdoms of darkness through his Light. This is no mere birthday party for an infant. It is an annual coronation for the King of Kings.

Occasionally during this time of year, I find myself walking through the grocery store or the mall and I hear Christmas carols being sung over the speakers. I hear lines to songs that we have all sung a million times, but no one seems to have a clue what is really being said. Just read some of the lyrics:

“Hark The Herald Angels Sing, Glory To The Newborn King, Peace On Earth And Mercy Mild, God And Sinners Reconciled”

“Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace! Hail the Son of righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.”

“Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King”

“He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness”

“Fall on your knees! O hear the angels voices…Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease.”

Glory to the Newborn King? Hail the Prince of peace? Let earth receive her King? These are all radical proclamations about Jesus’ Kingship and dominion over the earth. Instead of sweet carols sung with a glass of eggnog, these are war chants against the prince of darkness!

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We need to hear the true story of Christmas because the enemy of our souls wants to marginalize the truth about Jesus. He is just a baby after all! Or, he is just a religious icon, a good teacher, or trapped in the world of “belief” and “faith.”

But here is another marginalization, one that may hit home to evangelicals: Jesus is my Savior who died on the cross for my sins. That is true, but if you stop there, you will not get the whole story.

If you want to challenge the systems of this world and hold them accountable for injustice, lies, and death, you need the real King Jesus: Word, Wisdom, Law, Temple, and Spirit.

In the midst of our tradition and celebration this Advent, let us remember that we serve the King of the whole world. We are his witnesses. And he is returning to set things right.

Glory!