The Meaning of Christmas as Told by a Kid With a Blanket
(Read Luke 2)
Advent is upon us. Over the next four Saturdays, including the day after Christmas, we will be focusing on the arrival of our savior Jesus Christ. Many of us know the excitement and glory of Christmas Day. From my earliest memories, I’ve always been overwhelmed by the electricity leading up to Christmas. While December 25, is the day we observe the birth of Jesus Christ, most scholars don’t believe he was actually born that day, or even in December.
So what is Advent?
The days leading up to Christmas is known by many Christians as Advent. Simply put, it’s a season of preparation and reflection commemorating the birth of Jesus — our Savior and Messiah. In the old Testament, there are numerous references to the longing of the Jewish people for a Messiah. The Old Testament Prophets pointed to the Messiah as an ultimate descendant of David. Many were looking for a conquering hero, someone to free Israel as a nation state.
In Advent, we’re reminded of how much all of us need a Savior. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “visit.”
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
— Isaiah 7:14
A few years ago, I read an interview with Charles M. Schultz about the making of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Without getting too cynical, it was made in 1965, a time when, let’s face it, the world was a little less cynical about portraying Christian values on network TV. Producer Lee Mendelson and director Bill Melendez approached well-known animator Charles Schulz about creating a 30-minute Christmas animated special. A half-hour cartoon was a huge risk in those days. A bigger risk was having an openly Christian message as the backbone of the story. Schulz’s primary goal for Charlie Brown Christmas was to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. “If we don’t do it, who will?,” he stated.
According to Mendelson, Charles Schulz was plagued by anxiety and self doubt, but when it came to the production, he “was the epitome of confidence and assured cool.” You might think that his confidence came from his assurance in his skills and experience as an animator. I believe it came from a deeper and higher source. Schulz insisted on quoting from the Bible about the real meaning of Christmas. “Otherwise,” Schulz said, “why bother doing it?”
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.‘”
— Luke 2:8-12
Larger than the details recreating the announcement of Christ’s birth, was the angels’ message and song. Why did God want a miraculous announcement and why to Shepherds? Shepherds were disdained in those days. They were looked down upon and were not valued in their society. At quick glance, the effect of the angelic announcement would have had no effect beyond the narrow circle that night. God uses us, the most unlikely messengers, for his good. For his glory. If Jesus was born with a huge fanfare, a parade of loud music, bright lights, and jubilation, the glory would be lost. But with unremarkable Shepherd witnesses and a humble birth of the world’s Savior, who gets the glory? The symbol of the the Holy Presence shined bright through the darkness.
The twelve Apostles were flawed men, most of them were rough around the edges and uneducated. Peter was a hot head and Matthew was a despised, lowly tax collector who probably extorted money from fellow Jewish citizens. Paul was a terrorist, a murderer and persecutor of early Christians. C.S. Lewis, notable Christian writer, started out as an atheist. One of the greatest evangelists of all time was born in a dusty one floor farmhouse in North Carolina. Billy Graham ended up conducting more than 400 crusades in 185 countries and territories on six continents. God uses our brokenness and humble beginnings to highlight his work, his plan, and his glory.
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.‘”
— Luke 2:13-14
Coca-Cola was the original sponsor of the Charlie Brown special. While not overwhelmed by the spiritual message, neither they, nor the network executives balked. Schulz wanted a child’s voice reading the passage from Luke. He wanted purity and innocence. Voice actor, Christopher Shea was the voice of Linus who read the Gospel. Peter Robbins, who was the first voice of Charlie Brown believes that Shea’s reading is one of the most magical moments ever in animation. Pretty impressive results from the gamble from an unsure animator.
Vincent’s World Studies cites Luke’s Gospel as the “gospel of the poor and lowly.” The angelic revelation of Christ’s birth to lowly shepherds says a lot about God’s plan. At the time of Jesus’ birth, the Roman world knew Pax Romana, the peace which existed between nations within the Roman Empire. The angels proclamation, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests,” was not about international peace. They proclaimed, they forecasted a deeper, longer lasting eternal peace with our Savior Jesus.
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.‘”
— Luke 2:15
The quiet peace illuminating Linus’ reading of Luke in the Charlie Brown special does a beautiful job of mirroring the still calm the night of Christ’s birth. Linus answered Charlie Brown’s need for perspective of Christmas. He gave light and meaning to a struggling friend.
The simplicity of devoutness and faith the shepherds act with is sheer beauty. Rather than being taken up with the angels glory or doubting their claims, they say, “Let us go and see this thing which is come to pass.” What does that Gospel verse tell us about the spirit of humility?
With the Redeemer’s birth, peace, glory, and all kinds of happiness, come down from God to abide here on earth. The essence and guidance of Divine good will and favor are poured down upon us.
“Infinite and an infant.
Eternal, yet born of a woman…
Oh, the wonder of Christmas.”
— Charles Spurgeon
We see the magic, the lights, the sparkle of Christmas, but do we see the need for a savior? As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ first coming at Christmas, are we looking forward to our Savior’s second coming? Pray, read, and worship this week with sincere humility. Fill your heart with preparation towards his coming. Keep in mind both “advents” of Christ, the first 2,000 years ago, and the second yet to come.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.