Calvin Synod Herald, 2016 (117. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2016-11-01 / 11-12. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Bethlehem - More Than Prelude Text: Luke 2:22 — 40 It would be easy for Christians to think of Bethlehem as a mere prelude to Golgotha, to think of the creche as a minor preface to the cross, to think of the baby’s small cry as an insignificant sound when compared to the cry at Calvary. But would that be a true judgment? There is an ill-founded legend that Martin Luther’s frightful episode in the forest during a lightning storm had something to do with the lighted trees at Christmas. It is true, however, that Luther had appreciation for the birth of Christ. We sing his carol -“From heaven above to earth I come, to bring good news to everyone Martin Luther became a newly awakened Christian on account of St. Paul’s witness, not so much by what St. John, or St. Luke or others said. Paul said to the Corinthians in his first letter, “I have decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. ” (I Corinthians 2:2) Paul also said, “For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures...” (I Corinthians 15:3) Yet without in any way diminishing the centrality of the cross, it’s important not to let it stand alone. In that sense we require to add to Paul the birth stories of St. Luke and the preamble to the gospel by St. John. It is the whole Christ Event which is crucial, and not least the birth. We are a part of the Western Church where the cross has reigned supreme. In the Orthodox, or Eastern Church, it is the Incarnation, the entering of the eternal God into time that rises to the central place. In holy communion, he is our bread of life, not only because he gave his life for us, but because in Mary’s womb he assumed our life. Only eight days after the birth, Simeon in the Temple prophesied to Mary, “This child is destined. . . tobe a sign that will be spoken against. . . and a sword shall pierce your own soul. ” (Luke 2:34a and 35b) In Simeon’s words we hear the mysterious birth connected to the sacrificial death. And we say, “Alleluia! Alleluia!” Mary did not give birth to just any Jewish child who later fell prey to the Roman oppressor. This was the Word taking on flesh, come to live with us. The presence of death at the marvelous birth points to the babe’s humanity. As human as you and me. Those swaddling clothes did not always smell like aromatic frankincense and myrrh. In an astonishing word when Jesus reached age 12 we hear Mary say to Jesus in a stem tone, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your Father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety. ” (Luke 2:48b) That sounds like any parent to an adolescent arriving home after curfew. Should there be any part of his humanity unlike ours, including mortality, that part of ourselves is not healed in the cross. The presence of death in his divine life of ministry points to his true humanity. For instance, he developed a friendship with Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, of Bethany. Could we reverently say, Jesus liked to “hang out” with them? So in John’s gospel, at Lazarus’ tomb, when he’s about to display his true divinity, he weeps. Tears stream down his swarthy Jewish face. His close friend has died. Even further, the godly reality of his death on the cross points to his true humanity. Like others who carried the cross on the Via Dolorosa, he stumbled and fell. On the cross he bled as did the two thieves beside him. (Matthew 27:38-44) There was a difference though. It took a Roman centurion to say it, “Truly this man was God’s Son. ” (Mark 15:39) In her Christmas message, Presiding Lutheran Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, recalls a Christmas Eve service in her home church. A banner depicting Mary with the baby Jesus hung above the chancel obscuring the large suspended cross. But on Christmas Eve a spotlight that illumined the cross shone on the banner making the outline of the cross appear boldly through the Madonna and Child banner. From this memory Bishop Eaton draws a lesson. “The hope of Christmas is fulfilled on Good Friday . . . The cross is the Christmas gift.” The cross is only a sign of this old world’s ongoing torture, violence and death, unless ... unless ... unless the baby Mary holds is truly the Son of God, the eternal gift to humankind, to you and me. The American poet, William Rose Benét explained: Dark with famine lies half the world; in the core of life is danger; With expectation the people cry and clamor on every hand. And even once more, through blowing snow, there comes to humankind a stranger; The Stranger, though every land. For a moment stand with [Simeon] then, when the simple truth was graved Deep in his soul; when mightier wings no chaos can destroy Lightened on high; and there came to [us] in the ancient city of David, Good tidings of great joy. David B. Bowman
