Christmas Stinks in the Spiritual Suburbs
If left to my own devices, I would choose to live either in the woods or in the heart of downtown Chicago. I’m drawn to the extremes. Alas, God has plunked me down in the suburbs - the middle place where there is neither the tranquility of the forest nor the urban hum of human activity at its most intense. At least I get to serve at a great church here in suburbia!
While I’ve embraced living in the physical suburbs, I try to avoid the spiritual suburbs at all costs. Where are the spiritual ‘burbs?! It’s the middling place in our hearts and souls where we don’t feel too much – neither the heights of elation nor the depths of despair. In the spiritual suburbs, we keep the garage door of the Spirit down and stay barricaded within, distracted by the dull glow of multiple screens.
I believe that a true understanding of Jesus’ arrival at Christmas warrants extreme response: deep, quiet wonder on the one hand, and the Hallelujah heights of celebration on the other. Jesus’s arrival leaves no middle ground for numbness or spiritual status quo.
Both of these postures were embraced by those who witnessed God-come-in-the-flesh two thousand years ago. The Gospel of Luke repeatedly notes that Mary’s response to the birth of Jesus was to “treasure up all these things and ponder them in her heart.” We are invited to follow her lead: to assume a posture of quiet expectancy, pondering what Jesus’ physical proximity to humanity could possibly mean! This posture pairs well with silence, stillness, and solitude. Like the majestic quiet of ancient forest.
The Gospel of Luke also points us to a wildly different response to the Good News of Christmas. Consider the great company angels who appeared to shepherds in the Bethlehem hills, praising God and singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - Luke 2:13-14
A right response to the Messiah’s arrival requires large numbers of people (or angels) to join in a chorus of “Hallelujah” all together. There is a real sense in which the moments of Jesus’ conception and birth are the great victory of God’s plan over the schemes of the Devil. Once the miracle of God-made-human had been accomplished, the biggest hurdle to our redemption had been cleared. Of course, plenty more obstacles and sacrifice lay ahead for Jesus. But the unthinkable – that the non-physical Divine presence could become a human, physical presence – had now been accomplished.
At Elmhurst CRC, we try to enter into both of these postures during the Advent and Christmas seasons. No boring middle ground. Room for wonder on the one hand. And raising the roof for some lively Hallelujahs on the other. I’m hoping you experience deep doses of both this Sunday at our Lessons & Carols service as our choir guides us into both extremes of Christmas.
– Pastor Gregg