Christmas is most definitely here as it's been a few weeks since the launch of the 2016 John
Lewis Christmas advert. This features a family dog,
enviously watching the neighbourhood's wildlife leaping on a brand new trampoline
on Christmas Eve. As well as animals taking centre stage, John Lewis has also cast
a black family for the first time, including a six-year-old girl, who is
beaten to her trampoline present by Buster – the family dog – on Christmas
morning.
In many ways, this year’s
John Lewis advert captures the unusual nature of the true Christmas story found
in Scripture. Consider for a moment the various animals which feature in the
story of Jesus’ birth. Soon after Jesus has been born, Mary places Jesus in a
manger – a feeding trough for animals (this explains why many Christmas cards
feature animals gazing at the Christ child). Further, when the angels first
proclaim the good news of Jesus’ birth, who is it they announce this to?
Shepherds, who were out in the fields caring for their flocks. Lastly, consider
the wise men. The Scriptures don’t make clear what they travelled on but, given
the arduous journey they would have had to undertake, and given that National
Express/Southern Rail didn’t exist back then, it is more than likely that they came
either on camels or on horseback. The birth of Jesus Christ unusually features
numerous animals. Similarly, it features an unusual family. Joseph and Mary are
not wealthy or powerful (unusual given Jesus’ identity as the Son of God). Further,
Mary conceives Jesus out of wedlock (perhaps not unusual in our day but it
would have been scandalous in 1st century Jewish culture). All this
to illustrate that Jesus’ coming into the world is for all people and all
situations. Jesus arrival that first Christmas signalled, the beginning of
God’s work to redeem and transform not just us human beings, but the entire
cosmos. The book of Isaiah speaking of what Jesus’ coming will mean for the
world says this:
The wolf will live the lamb, and the leopard will lie
down with the goat
The calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a
little child will lead them
It may seem
impossible now but Christ’s first coming started a transformation that will be
seen in full technicolour when He comes again – to judge the living and the
dead. A time is coming when animals and all forgiven sinners (i.e. Christians)
will live in true peace and abundant joy will be overflow everywhere. This is
why Christmas for the Christian is time of real rejoicing; by believing in
Jesus we experience real transformation and receive the greatest gift – eternal
life. The hymn Joy to the world
describes all this well:
He [Jesus] comes to make
His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
May we forgiven
sinners rejoice in this good news, and share it gladly with all we know and
love. Happy Advent
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