Christmas Tax
Dear Friends
One event in the Christmas narrative is the home coming of families, ‘to be
taxed’!
As it happens my son has just confirmed his intent to be home for Christmas
after 3 months in Sudan, and I confess being rather emotional about this. I just enjoy having him around yet I have no clue whether my parents have
equivalent feelings. Our interests, routines and values have diverged over
time, but society suggests that sharing traditional Christmas fare is the done
thing, so we do.
The ritual of exchanging presents was once easy and exciting. Now that we are all materially self-sufficient, the routine has a stressful air of futility. What gifts are meaningful? What would send the wrong message? Why does the whole thing have to be so pretentious? Besides, the year end is such a rush.
To make life more complex, the season is under attack by anti-Christian
trendies in the name of political correctness. Little wonder! Sacred mystery
has become enacted to the point of sacrilege. The commandment about
creating ‘graven images’ is interpreted in Protestantism as the avoidance of
icons prevalent in Orthodox traditions. In truth, the intent of the missive is to
avoid literalizing deep spiritual truth and personifying through contraction, the
majesty and mystery of an eternal God.
Without being a killjoy – where is a solution we can all embrace?
The story of the virgin birth, the incarnation, the Christmas Story is significant
because it reminds us that Spirit of the Almighty dwells within and among us.
We are more than flesh and blood. Being drawn to the families of our birth
reminds us of who we are, the miracle of our being. It is not about mutual
indulgence, it about discovering where we ultimately came from. If the event
brings out the worst in us, we clearly need God’s grace. There is no room in
the Inn for our ego and selfishness, rather it is the place where grace is
extended and honour restored. It is the beginning of ‘joy to the world’.
I trust that each of us will take the time to reflect, relate and restore our being
in Christ Jesus.
Yours truly,
Victor
“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.
(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)
All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.
And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He travelled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.
He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.
She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.”
Luke 2: 1-7 (NLT)
“This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
All of this occurred to fulfil the Lord’s message through his prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”
When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.”
Matthew1:18-25 (NLT)