Mangers and Crosses

Protestants take great pride in their symbolic piety… or lack thereof.

In recent years we’ve abandoned the table… removed the cross… hymnals and bibles and stain-glassed windows…

“It’s not about the symbols” we’ve said, “It’s the truths they represent!  As followers of Christ,” we’ve continued, “we live the truths of the symbols!” 

(…I’m not sure that’s true but we like how spiritual it sounds and anyways that isn’t the theme of this post so I’ll let it slide). 

In truth, the symbols simply cost too much in time, energy and money to maintain… and we have other things (better things?) to do with our time… our energy… our money…

...it’s convenient how God no longer expects me to make a sacrifice of the things that I want for myself (that’s a different post too… I’ll let it slide).

Get to the point!

Surely, you’ve noticed how the protestant cross is always empty.  Catholics use a crucifix – a cross with an likeness of Christ still attached.  Protestants insist, “He is no longer on the cross!”  So, we shun crucifixes.  Some go so far as to call them idolatrous.

…which is ironic given our love of placing some sort of likeness in mangers at Christmas.

We prefer the baby Jesus to the crucified Christ.

Is that because we imagine we prefer a god we can control?  Because a manger-bound baby is safer?  Because a god-in-a-manger won’t challenge my attitudes, my spending, my busy-ness, my reveling, …and if he does I can always coo-coo-coo and pretend I don’t understand.

Christ on the cross confronts my lust and greed and selfishness and busyness and pride and….  Christ on the cross reminds me, “This is for you!”  Christ in a manger?  …He’s cute and cuddly and don’t you just want to pinch His cheeks as you scurry off to buy something else that you don’t need in order to impress people who don’t even know you exist?

Listen, I believe the cross… and the tomb are empty.  He IS risen!

…but the manger is empty too…

my 2c

Celebrating Advent

Your local Christian bookstore should have lots of Advent tools like devotionals, calendars, cards and family activities for families at various stages… and of course there are a lot of great tools available online (some crazy nonsense too so be discerning☻)

Here is one very simple tool that can be easily adjusted for your family.

You’ll need:

·       Five candles

·       A designated time once/week for the whole family to gather

·       A Bible (age appropriate for your family)

·       A fireplace to sit around (just kidding… unless you have one☻)

·       Set aside one night a week.  I suggest right after supper.

·       Gather the family together around the candles (If possible leave the candles (unlit) in place all week as a constant reminder.)

·       If you are on weeks 2-4 you may wish to light the previous week’s candles at this point.  For example, on week two you might light week one’s candle at this point.  On week three you would light two candles – one for the first week and one for the second, etc.

·       Read a few verses of the Christmas story as a family.  You can have the same person read each week but it might be nice to use all of your family’s readers over the course of the season.  Here are some possible selections to read:

o   An angel visits Mary – Luke 1:26-38

o   Mary visits Elizabeth – Luke 1:39-45

o   Mary’s Song – Luke 1:46-56

o   Joseph – Matthew 1:18-25

o   The Trip to Bethlehem – Luke 2:1-7

o   The shepherds – Luke 2:8-20

o   The Magi – Matthew 2:1-12

o   Simeon – Luke 2:25-35

o   Anna – Luke 2:36-40

·       After the reader(s) is finished light the candle for that week.  (The fifth candle is for Christmas day)

·       Offer a brief prayer inviting Christ to be a part of your holiday rhythm.  You may wish to have a different person assigned to pray each week.

No, this is not the strict liturgical way of engaging in Advent but this isn’t about liturgy this is about remembering and inviting Christ into our lives.  Of course this isn’t the only way and you’ve probably got some wildly creative children in your family that can create an Advent tradition that works for you.  Try to include these three things.

Remember – Advent is about remembering Jesus.  Your Advent activities should work to remind you of the following.

·       Who Jesus is…  

·       What Jesus has done…

·       What Jesus is doing in your life, family and the world

·       What Jesus has promised to do

Secondly, this is supposed to be fun so celebrate Jesus!

·       Why not have a party for Jesus.  I’m sure He’d be OK with you celebrating early.  Bake and eat a cake together as a family.  Play some games together conscious of His presence in the laughter and joy.

Finally, share Jesus’ love with others

·       Meet a need in the community – Volunteer with Salvation Army, a local Food bank or a soup kitchen.  Do you know a person or family in need?  Take them a meal, or invite them over to share one with you.  Drop off an anonymous gift/giftcard, etc.

Advent! It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1.    Remember

2.    Celebrate

3.    Share