Discipleship: Advent and the importance of story

Every culture has stories that define it, stories about who we are, what we believe and where we came from. They define us, give us our identity, and are vehicles to communicate our values, traditions and beliefs. They give us our individual, as well as family and national identities. When we loose our sense of identity, we inevitably operate out of an orphan spirit. Surely it's because we no longer know who we are, that the orphan spirit is so characterizes of the age. It also seems to me that at lest part of the reason the Jews were able to keep their identity over two millennia of exile, is that even in their isolation from each other, they continued to celebrate the stories of what God had done for them. Passover is a prime example, it celebrates the story of the deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The Christian's stories similarly celebrate what God has done in delivering us from the slavery of sin. They include Advent, of course, the story of the birth of Christ.

Israel was commanded over and over to remember what the Lord had done (i.e Deuteronomy 15:15; 7:18; 8:2,18; 9:7, 27 etc., etc.). And there is wisdom and strength in what the liturgical churches do in following the lectionaries, celebrating Christmas, Easter and Pentecost etc. Of course as part of war on Western culture, in the name of tolerance and offense, we are increasingly being told to tone it down. In particular politically correct doctrine dictates we restrict ourselves to wishing each other happy holidays. Actually I don't mind. I give a dazzling  smile and answer “Merry Christmas.” If I am challenged, I turn away wrath by answering softly “It's not my intention to offend, but rather to celebrate the hope, peace, joy and love that's available when I embrace the Christmas story. The happy holiday 'story doesn't seem to cut it for me!””

Such encounters actually cause me to remember my story, and to consider just how many prophecies the birth of Jesus Christ fulfilled. Some of these, given millennia before, are “Unto us a child is born ...” (Isaiah 9:7). Also the child born was of David's line, born of a virgin (Isaiah 11:1; 7:14), of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10), in Bethlehem in Ephrathah (Micah 5:1-2). And prophecy is not just about Advent! An in depth study of prophecy and its fulfillment, gives such confirmation not only of the Christmas story, but also that we have not followed cleverly devised stories when we were told about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power (2 Peter 1:16). Peter, talking about Jesus' transformation on the mountain tells us he was an “eyewitnesses of his majesty” (Matthew 17:1-13). And while not an eyewitnesses of his majesty in this way, I do have testimony of how He has transformed my life and the lives of many others, and how He has demonstrated His power in healing in my, and other people's bodies. Who knows, perhaps others saying “Happy holidays” will give me a chance to share some of this?

So Father, help me know how to give Your answer through me to the “Happy holidays” greetings. Let it even open up opportunities to share. Thank You Lord for the seasonal reminder of all You have done. And Lord as we approach the season, help us to not get caught up in the commercialism, and to remember in prayer, and in practical ways, those for whom this is a very difficult season in Jesus Name Amen