On Celebrating the Incarnation

This year it has become increasingly apparent to me that Christians in America celebrate two totally unrelated holidays on December 25 - if they even celebrate the birth of Christ at all.  I have always had a bit of discomfort in the celebrating of Western commercialized Christmas, but the tug of nostalgia has always kept me celebrating however minimally it may have seemed to the rest of our culture.  But, this year as I have seen my son learning about Christmas, I have seen that he makes no connection whatsoever between the Santa Claus holiday that he sees in movies and in the decorations and the Joseph, Mary, and Jesus that he loves so much to identify in nativity scenes.  He does not see the connection because he is, as of yet, unable to justify consumeristic greed and materialism.

I should say that I love to give Christmas presents.  I love cooking and baking all of the Christmas goodies that I grew up eating.  I love decorating my Christmas tree.  And, I love Christmas music.  I long to recreate the magical feeling I had at Christmas time in my childhood for my own son.  But, at what cost?  Do I sacrifice convictions for confections?  Principles for presents?  Right doctrine for decorations?

Last night I even told my husband that I would almost rather celebrate Christmas on two different days.  One for the Incarnation and one for nostalgia and cookies. There is a lot to think about when you have children that no one tells you about when you are pregnant!  Do I make my child a social pariah by not celebrating Christmas the way that the rest of "Christian America" does?  Will he be the kid who ruins Santa for all of the other kids in his class?  Will other kids (and even church members) pity him because of his scrooge parents?

I have no answers for these questions.  In full discretion: we have already bought his Christmas present.  We have a Christmas tree up in our living room.  We have a wreath on the door.  And, I have made trays full of fudge.  Our son watches Christmas movies non-stop and he sat on Santa's lap at my husband's church's Breakfast with Santa function.  And, I love to see his little eyes light up.  I know things seem magical and exciting to him.

I'm not worried about lying to him or giving him a false view of reality.  I am worried about willingly placing him in the midst of greed and consumerism.  I'm worried about feeding him a both/and type of Christmas that never really celebrates the Incarnation - that never really celebrates anything other than presents.  I am worried about not fulfilling my calling to accurately and faithfully portray the gospel to my son.

I am sure that many will say that I am over-thinking this.  But, no amount of thought is too great when it comes to faithfully following Christ.

I invite your thoughts and comments.  Let's discuss this as a community of believers seeking to love God with our hearts, souls, minds, and strength.

On Christianity and Contemporary Art

Over the course of Christian history, art has played an integral part in aiding believers in connecting with their faith and pursuing spiritual formation.  We have seen the beauty of God's gifts through the talented hands of artist throughout the centuries.  In a time when literacy was not the norm,  beautiful frescos depicting biblical scenes taught the stories of our faith.  Christians have expressed their love for God and their gratitude for the gifts God has given them by illustrating Bibles and illuminating their pages.  In Eastern Orthodox Churches, iconography is an important aspect of Christian worship and devotion. 

Unfortunately, over the years, evangelical Christianity has lost contact with art.  Besides the illustration of children's Bibles and the occasional "White Jesus" painting, art has been all but banished from the church.  

Within youth ministry, though, the emphasis of experiential ministry has re-introduced art as a way of connecting with God and as a valid way to worship.  Many emergent and even charismatic churches regularly have a painter in worship.  As an artist, myself, I find great joy in this recent development.

This year, 2011, is the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible; and to celebrate, world-renown artist, Makoto Fujimura, has been commissioned to illuminate the pages of a very special anniversary edition of the text.    

Makoto Fujimura - The Art of "The Four Holy Gospels" from Crossway on Vimeo.

I hope that in watching this video and in reading the pages of this very special Bible, more Christians can once again honor the gift of art in the Church.  

On Benedictions

I have always loved the benediction at the end of a worship service.  It is the great challenge and encouragement offered to the faithful as they are pushed out of the church doors and into the world to live the lives to which God has called them.  It is the final note - like dessert at the end of a four course meal.  Have you ever felt that?

This past week a fellow student asked if I would offer the benediction in the divinity school chapel service. I was happy to oblige (especially since a favorite pastor would be offering the sermon in the same service).

As I drove the hour-long drive down to school this morning, I thought over what I might want to say to send my fellow students out into the world.  I thought of the friend who needed hope to make it through the day.  I knew she might need me to speak directly to her this morning.  Then, I thought of the many friends who, like me, needed a reminder to love not only God but themselves in order that they might begin to love their neighbors and their enemies.  I thought of the times when we all struggle to find peace through our faith or courage in accepting our call.

As I drove thinking of specific faces and stories, the benediction for the day slowly came together.  And, as we sang the last verse of "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah," I stepped up to the podium to address the very real needs of our family.  I turned to the choir and saw the face of my friend in need of hope; I turned to the right side of the chapel and saw the face of a friend who struggles to love herself; I turned to the left side and saw a friend who is still searching for peace in the midst of trouble; and, I surveyed the collective face of my divinity school family and saw the longing for a gentle reminder of God's call on each of our lives.

After the benediction found its way out of my soul and into the hearts and minds of my divinity family, I received my sending forth in the form of hugs, words of affirmation, and tears in the eyes of my very dear friend who needed to hear exactly what was spoken through me.

I am never more humbled than when God uses me despite of me - despite the frustrations I have with my ministry, my inability to do everything, and my own lack of confidence in my ability to lead and minister to others.