"The End was in the Beginning" - Part II

“The End was in the Beginning” – Thoughts for Advent 2010 Part II

The evangelist, Luke, depicts the Christmas story, as God’s preferential favoring of the poor and oppressed.  Whereas in Matthew, a revelation is given to the surrounding royalty, in Luke the shepherds receive the good news of the Savior’s birth.  God particularly shares this magnificent message with the shepherds whom the Magi and other rulers ignored.  In Christ, God offers salvation to everyone regardless of his or her social position. 

Accordingly, it is very unfortunate when the purpose of Christmas is quantified in the prices, quality and numbers of gifts that a person receives.  We have all been given the most wonderful gift that could ever be given.  In Christ, we have access to abundant and eternal life which means an appreciation of God’s unfathomable love, the heart to love others in word and deed, freedom from fear, liberty from oppression, and the ability to actualize the potential of one’s God given talents and natural abilities.  Luke insists that God specifically desire for the nameless and countless masses to know the true meaning of Christmas.

Further, Luke records that within eight days of his birth; Joseph and Mary to fulfill the rite of circumcision present Jesus in the temple.  After the completion of their purification according to the Law of Moses, they took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.  There, Simeon prophesies over the Christ child: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.  And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”  (Luke 2:34-35)  His remarks suggest beforehand the events that will ultimately occur during “Holy Week.”  Mary’s soul will be deeply wounded as she observes the unjust crucifixion of her son, Jesus.  Fundamentally, Christmas includes Calvary.

However, the road from Bethlehem and the first Christmas to Calvary and the crucifixion includes the most important rest stop of Gethsemane.  The wonderful promise of salvation that began on the first Christmas morning could have been permanently thwarted had Jesus failed to stop in the garden of Gethsemane.  In that place, he kneels and asks if it is possible to avoid the bitter cup of Calvary.  He, in essence, requests to change the purpose of Christmas.  Thrice, Jesus pleads with God to find another way to fulfill the hope and covenant of Christmas.  Thankfully, Jesus eventually and sincerely says, “Yet, not as I will, but as you will.”  In making this prayer, Jesus fundamentally teaches us the meaning of Christmas in His example of obedience to God’s perfect will.

The end was in the beginning.  Present in Bethlehem on the first Christmas is the foreshadowing of the crucifixion and Calvary and the divine promise of the resurrection which follows on the first Easter morning.  However, Gethsemane is the critical connection between Bethlehem and the empty tomb.  As we celebrate the advent of Christmas and the joys it brings, we necessarily reflect upon the incalculable costs of salvation and eternal life.  God pays the ultimate price in the gift of His “one and only begotten Son.”  To fully appreciate this gift, we must travel to the garden of Gethsemane and genuinely recite the prayer that the Lord teaches us.  As we do so, we realize that Christmas opens the door to the abundant and eternal life of living within the will of God.