Tis the Season. The Proud Family. The meaning of it all.
The Christmas season is here. This time of year means different things to different people. For autumn lovers, it’s the finale to weeks of resting, nesting, and enjoying pumpkin treats. Christmas seems to be the neutralizing moment of the year. Each year brings its challenges and triumphs. The weeks leading up to Christmas Day offer relief, a time to relate with more grace and compassion. Commercially, gifts are presented as the highlight of this season. We are marketed different products and services to spread the 'Christmas Spirit.' However, the birth and life of Jesus are the antithesis to marketing schemes and promotional sales.
The Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide two different accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ. In Matthew, the wise men follow a star to locate the promised King. Born in humble conditions, the three men arrive at a lowly stable and worship him. Imagine that: a young child being worshipped by tall figures on a cool, serene evening, surrounded by a sea of stars in the sky above. The fulfillment of a promise, one that would take a couple of decades to reach completion. If there’s one thing that the Christmas story teaches us, it’s the importance of time and waiting. Jesus’ birth was only the beginning of a greater plan for the redemption of God’s people. The risen Christ forms a movement, leading to the adoption of thousands, then millions of Christians adopted into God’s family.
No quick fixes, shortcuts, or easy ways out. A promise made to Abraham, passed on through Jacob, Moses, proclaimed by Elijah, and Josiah; delivered by John the Baptist. 'Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand' (Matt 3:2), perhaps the kingdom couldn’t have been any nearer than on that evening in Bethlehem, the day Jesus was born. As a new believer, one of the things I struggled to comprehend is the idea of a promise arriving before seeing the fulfillment of the promise. Starting my journey, converting to Christianity seemed to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Losing community, a faith system, and identity—it was very difficult. There were so many things I had to believe before experiencing them. God showed me and shared with me many things that I had to be patient enough to wait for. This might sound fantastical and whimsical—it took me by surprise too. The Israelites waited for over four hundred years before the Messiah arrived. Their story from captivity (Exodus) to exile (Chronicles) is filled with many moments of God’s redeeming love. When Christ arrives, the freedom humankind needed required a simple step: faith to believe. To believe in Christ, in God who sent him, and to receive the Holy Spirit (following his earthly ministry). To those who don’t believe, faith is unusual, difficult to prove, and belief without rationalism is suspicious.
The Proud Family Christmas episode illustrates unexplained circumstances in an unusual way. After visiting a homeless shelter, the Proud family meets another homeless family. Eventually, the two families spend Christmas together with the Proud’s. In their interactions, the homeless family shares their festive tradition of Kwanzaa. As they participate in this special tradition, the families are united despite their different values. When the family leaves, the Proud’s return to the shelter only to find that the homeless family is no longer there. Instead, the family takes the form of a different family, with a different ethnic background. The scenarios in this episode appears serendipitous, random, and unexpected. However, the lessons and experiences are very clear. Grace allows us to extend ourselves to people who are different from us (inviting the family to their home). Compassion enables openness to receive and give generously (sharing a meal and learning different cultural experiences). Mercy allows us to make mistakes and learn from each other (dealing with misunderstandings and difficult topics). Faith gives us the hope to endure difficulty, hoping for relief, even when our circumstances show no evidence of it (the family at the shelter that the Proud’s returned to help).
"To share in the Christmas story is special. To believe in the Christmas story is the beginning of a hope that endures this lifetime and the next. Whether you are a Christian or sharing in the tradition, slowing down might be advantageous.
Pondering on the moments of grace, mercy, and compassion experienced in the year. Gathering ourselves to enjoy the time we’ll share with our friends and loved ones. Praying or hoping for a future filled with peace and enough to share with others. Its been a joy to write for Almost Gen Z this year. Thank you for joining me. I wish you strength for today and hope for tomorrow.
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