The Advent Calendar - Pt. 2

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:22-30 ESV).

 

Some of our Christmas traditions are just that, traditions. Jesus was probably not born on December 25^th; and, the Christmas tree is based on the celebration of the reincarnation of Nimrod. The ancient Babylonians burned a “Yule” log in the fireplace, and the next day a symbolic evergreen tree was placed inside the house. In fact, this pagan ritual is hinted at in Scripture (cf. Jeremiah 10:1-4). However, before you decide to write a scathing response to this, take a breath. If you were to visit my home you’ll find the largest fresh cut Christmas tree that will fit in our family room. I’ve included a picture of last year’s tree with this devotional. And, remember that Martin Luther thought it was fine; he had a Christmas tree inside his home also.

 

Our reading gives us even more direction in what we should do with these traditions. He was faced with a festival that had a lot of tradition, some of which may have been true and some not. He was in the temple for the Feast of Dedication, also known as the Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah. You won’t find it in the Bible anywhere; it dates from the period between Old and New Testaments. But Jesus was celebrating Hanukkah, and He used the Festival of Lights to shine the light on who He really is. So, let me suggest that we follow His example. You can say, “Bah, humbug!” You can get “Santa Claustrophobic.” You can run from it. Or you can use it to shine the light on who Jesus really is.

 

People are singing the words to Tannebaum, O Christmas Tree as a reminder of the lines: In our gift giving and our merriment with our family and friends and loved ones the real and true meaning of Christmas the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We can redeem it by reminding them. It doesn’t matter WHEN He came… it matters THAT He came. When you gaze at the tree that is probably already up in your home, remember that grace has come! Jesus was born in Bethlehem to be the Savior of the world, God with us!