The Christmas that was, is and will be

Do we ever consider the many dimensions of our Christmas celebrations and traditions?  Of course, the story of our Lord’s birth some 2000 years ago begins the story in a very real sense.  But do we ever stop to think about the continuation of the story?
In Luke 2:1-39 we read the well known infancy narrative.  This story resonates in the hearts of men and women throughout the Christian world as we read the story of God become man, the Word made flesh.  We share this story of the first Christmas, the Christmas that was, with our children and in many traditions we encourage them to participate by placing figurines in Nativity scenes.  Mangers and angels and shepherds adorn stables while verses of “Little Drummer Boy” play in our heads.  For many this is the first remembrance we have of Christmas and we so wish to share it with our children and grandchildren.  It is a beautiful celebration of innocence on one level but so much more as we ponder the story itself.  You see, it has been my experience that God didn’t put those stories in the Bible to just allow us to consider them as pretty moments.  They are there to convey a message, and the Bethlehem story is no less so.  It would be foolish and haughty of me to imagine what the Almighty is speaking to each of us as individuals, but might I be so bold as to offer some points to ponder this season?  Do we ever stop to consider why Jesus was born in such “mean estate”, why He was brought into the world as a poor person?  What was the message that was given us by each of the visitors:  the angels, the shepherds, the wise men?  What do you suppose Joseph, a hard worker, felt as a man who could do no better than a stable for the birth of his son?  Can you imagine Mary counting Jesus’ toes and fingers and softly holding Him to her breast with all the love of every mother?  This is a story of our God, who became man, who became one of us in all things but sin.
And yet, our God, our Jesus was not content to leave this as a one time, 30 odd year event.  He wanted this Christmas to resound for all eternity so that each day was a “Christmas that is”, perhaps crystallizing or coming into special focus on each December 25th, but no less real the remainder of the year.  Jesus wanted to be made present, to be born into the world each day by each of us.  He wanted us to be just as “pregnant” with Him as Mary was.  In John 13:14-15 we read “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”  We are called to treat each other and to behave as our Lord did.  If we do so, we make Him present to the world in the form of our actions.  He is not dead, but again alive as we love, forgive, and serve each other.
And finally, our Christian faith tells us that He will come again.  There is a Christmas that will be.  But we just don’t have a clue when it will be (in spite of what some well meaning people might tell you).  There will be false signs and prophets.  In Matthew 24:23-26 we read “If anyone says to you then, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will arise, and they will perform signs and wonders so great as to deceive, if that were possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told it to you beforehand. So if they say to you, ‘He is in the desert,’ do not go out there; if they say, ‘He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.”  As for the time, Jesus Himself told us, “But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” (Matthew 24:36).  How arrogant of us to think we can divine that which the divine Himself did not know.  There will be another Christmas, but for believers we are told simply to always be ready.  The master will come as a thief in the night when He is least expected, and those who are ready will rejoice, while those who are not, well ... 
It’s possible that “Christmas that will be” has already taken place and he walks in our midst.  If so, what does He look like?  Is he a political leader?  The Jews expected one and that isn’t quite what they got, is it?  Maybe he’s a titan of business and wealth.  I’m thinking possible but not likely.  If we embrace the option for the poor that our God made a hallmark of his scriptures, I’d be more inclined to look at an illegal alien, or a sub-Saharan orphan, or the child of a Mongol sheepherder, or a Brazilian street urchin.  Scary isn’t it?