Greek Changed My Christmas

This fall, I have been blessed with an opportunity to dive headlong into something I have desired for years now. I had the time and space in my schedule to take Greek and hear the voice of God through the original language of the New Testament. My eyes have been opened wide, and my faith has become increasingly rich. Yet, if I am being honest, my perception of the various customs and traditions that I grew up knowing have been ruined. Christmas especially has been completely flipped upside down.

I have always loved Christmas for so many reasons. The fresh scent of the tree in our living room, dressing up for the Christmas Eve service with my family, long drives at the starry hour of 5 pm to look at various displays of lights and snow, the warmth and sugary aroma of the oven, praising Jesus for coming to be with us, and so much more. No matter where you go, it even seems as though most people are slightly more respectful towards one another than usual. Seeing radiant smiles and receiving soft hugs from loved ones in fuzzy sweaters has never failed to give me joy. Christmas carols of angelic choirs chased by thoughts of a sweet baby lying in a manger's hay have somehow always made me both giddy and peculiarly calm.

However, the cheery songs of white Christmases, silver bells, and a misfit reindeer no longer hold the same meaning that they did for me last year. As we have studied the Christmas story in class this semester, it has become plain to me just how much we have simplified and twisted the reality of Christmas. In Greek, one can envision a nativity scene quite differently than the ones in front yards or on elegant end tables.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

My favorite Christmas hymn does well to set the tone for the true meaning of Christmas. It is low and mournful yet leaves room for celebration of the Savior that was born. The flow of the melody seems desperate, and it emphasizes the emotion embedded in the lyrics. Jesus' birth took place during a time of oppression and pain for the Jews. Therefore, a song filled with longing and the glimmer of hope in the chorus could not be any more fitting, for that is what these people must have felt.

Mary was almost certainly not a full-grown woman as our culture would prefer to see her as. Rather, she was a girl of maybe thirteen who, in humble nature, accepted the word of the Lord from Gabriel knowing full well the danger and hardships she was bound to endure from that point on. The disdain thrown at her by neighbors and loved ones who saw her round belly probably broke her heart. Travelling with Joseph whilst carrying her unborn child must have been painstaking. Mary likely grew very weary, and then when they arrived, no one had a place for them and she gave birth not long after entering Bethlehem.

Joseph was a carpenter who wanted to provide for his future wife. However, plans changed when he discovered she was pregnant. He was confused and possibly as brokenhearted as his betrothed who struggled as others assumed she was unfaithful. An angel of God appeared to him and told him the truth. So, not only did he have to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem because of Caesar's census, but now he had to worry about his virgin wife giving birth to the most important child humanity had ever encountered. I wonder what went through his head. Whether or not he thought of how he would raise Jesus or if he could, his feelings about the fact that his future wife was carrying the Emmanuel that the Jews had been waiting for for too long. Maybe there were going to be enemies that he would have to fight to defend this child. Then, upon arriving in Bethlehem, he had to find somewhere for them to stay, somewhere for Mary to give birth. I would imagine he was at least anxious, if not a little afraid. Did he feel as though he had failed when the only place available to them was a dirty stable? When one thinks about Joseph, who he was and what he felt, it becomes easy to see how worn, unhinged, and yet, faithful he was.

Jesus was and is the Redeemer who came to save His people from their sins, yet no one had room for Him. Instead of being born in a palace, a temple, or even a home, He was born among animals. When He should have been washed and wrapped in silk, He was wrapped in strips of cloth. With no bed for Him to rest in, His parents had no choice but to lay Him in a φατνη. The King of kings slept in a feeding trough that was probably equally as filthy as a toilet. Whenever, we talk about the manger in class, my professor intentionally translates that word to "toilet," and the thought of Jesus being put in a toilet pains me every time. Though more than deserving, Emmanuel's entrance into the world was likely anything but silent and serene with an overcrowded town and stable housing livestock.

See, I have been very agitated this year with the way that Christmas is portrayed, because when Christ became flesh, there was no white Christmas unless referring to the star that guided the shepherds and magi. There were no silver bells in the snow or cookies. There was no Santa Claus. Greek has allowed me to imagine a nativity that had more chaos than peace and was smellier and filthier than we dare to think. So, why do we sanitize the birth of Christ and then replace it with the story of a green creature who steals from people? Why do we briefly note that Mary and Joseph had nothing and nowhere to go and then overwhelm ourselves with food and gifts? Why do we claim that Christmas is about Emmanuel and then forget about Him once the door bell rings? I am no less guilty of this than others as that has basically been my mentality throughout my whole life, but I am very uncomfortable this year. I love all of the ornaments, cookies and family celebrations just as much as anyone, but I don't want to forget about what really took place and Who this is truly about. Mark Hall of Casting Crowns said something during their concert on December 9th that nearly broke my heart, "Jesus is the only one that's never invited to His birthday party." If Bethlehem did not have room for Him, then why should family time be too full, as well? Why should my heart be the same way? I want Him there. I want τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ to be the reason I am joyful this year.

I will still enjoy the lights, snowmen, and hot cider, but Jesus Christ will be the center of my Christmas this year. He has already saved me in ways that no amount of words will ever be able to explain. The least I can do is devote His birthday to Him by recognizing it in its entirety: the stress, fear, anxiety, noise, filth, and at the end of it all, joy. Joy because Emmanuel finally came to rescue His people. From now on, I am taking special care to make sure I have room for the King in our celebration. I highly encourage everyone else to do the same.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel . . .

#God #Christmas #Greek #Truth