This week, Christians are celebrating one of three annual “holy days” (origin of the term “holidays”). Good Friday and Easter are the other two holy days – but since this is the Christmas season, let’s examine its meaning and importance.
I write from a different perspective than most laymen. I spent a year in seminary. I’ve developed an adult Sunday School curriculum. Throughout my life, I’ve studied the history of the Christian Church and major world religions. I’m also an avid student of physics, biology and medicine – and I believe modern advances in technology demonstrate that we live in an era of scientific miracles.
I understand Christian theology, and realize that most modern theologians don’t interpret the Bible literally. Despite what some Christians may believe, I think it’s valid to view the Old and New Testaments in a figurative (rather than literal) light. However, I’ll save that discussion for another day. Instead, I’d rather focus on the significance of God’s Christmas “gift” to mankind.
What Sets Christians Apart? One word: Incarnation
To appreciate the true meaning of Christmas, it’s important to understand a Christian theological concept called the doctrine of Incarnation. This holds that God became part of His* creation, through the life of Jesus Christ. The New Testament establishes Jesus uniquely as the son of God – born of a woman, in human flesh, just like us. The idea that God could or would bother to become part of His creation is extraordinary. It’s unique among major religions of the world, and it offers a different understanding of God, His creation, and His plan for that creation.
Both Judaism and Islam reject Jesus Christ’s divinity. In their monotheistic view, this violates the “Oneness” principle of God. So the question is this: How can God be one and yet divided? Of course, we can’t answer this question logically. It’s mathematically impossible. Christians simply accept Jesus’ divine nature by faith, not logic.
Defining the Divine
However, Christians aren’t the only believers who embrace the “divine” nature of creation. Both Buddhists and Hindus agree that God (the Ultimate Reality) exists in all nature, including human beings. Hindus even have a term for humans as manifestations of the divine – avatars. For example, Hindus consider Krishna an avatar – a divine human who was also an incarnation of Brahma.
So the concept of incarnation isn’t unique to Christianity. But Christianity rejects the pantheism of Eastern religions, while embracing the radical monotheism of its Jewish heritage.
Let’s put that in modern theological terms. Christians, Jews and Muslims all view God (or Allah) as the Creator – completely separate from His creation. Borrowing a term from the Swiss theologian Karl Barth, humans are completely “other.” Stated differently, God is so far removed from unworthy human sinners that He can’t be associated with us in any way. In fact, Muslims use a special term, “shirk,” to associate anything worldly with God. Similarly, many modern Jews consider God’s name to be so holy they spell it “G-d” to avoid making Him seem less sacred.
Yet, to the Christian, this “other” God also is part of flawed humanity.
Why Incarnation Matters
So what? This may be an interesting way to compare and contrast world religions, but does it make a difference in our daily lives?
In short – yes. Here’s how. It means that the God of all goodness – proclaimed by both the Old Testament and the Quran as the Source of kindness, beneficence and holiness – has joined His own creation. He is fused with it, so-to-speak. Creation isn’t merely something God “made.” It isn’t solely a stage where angels work. Rather, through Christ Jesus, it is in union with God Himself.
A Godly Call to Action
This is the genius behind the doctrine of Incarnation. It changes our perception of our fellow human beings. But in what way?
Because, if God cared so much for mankind, how can we take other human beings for granted? If God was born of a woman, we must care about women. If God became a child, we must care for children. If God learned from His earthly parents, we must care about parents and education. If God suffered oppression, sickness, ultimately death, we must care about the oppressed, the sick and the dying. In short, if God was willing to live in our world, we must be willing to care for that world.
So, whether or not you interpret the Incarnation literally, the doctrine is critically important. Why? It elevates the status of everything in God’s creation! We humans become holy, because a holy God became one of us.
Incarnation Speaks to Non-Christians, Too
Is it possible to reconcile this understanding of God with the monotheistic beliefs of Jews or Muslims – or with the pantheism of Buddhists or Hindus? Here’s my reply:
Whether or not we believe Jesus was divine, we can agree that Jesus came to earth and lived, and that his life was a God’s gift to mankind. At minimum, it was example for us all. And as a divine gift, Jesus became some part of God in our world. Therefore he brought something of God to us – just as other messengers of God have done. In this way, we may see something of God incarnate in the world, because it demonstrates God’s love for us.
What does this say about how we should live?
Love – Incarnation’s Simple Lesson
Bottom line – if God loves each of us as His creation, we should love one another. This was the message Jesus preached as he matured and began his ministry. “Whatever you would have someone do to you, do to them.” He put this in practical terms: “For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was naked, and you clothed me…”
This, to me, is the essence of why God sent Jesus to us. As the Gospel of John puts it, “For God loved the world so much that he gave His only son…”
And this is where all religions converge – God is love. When we act out of love, we are doing what God would have us do.
Christmas is that time when Christians celebrate the doctrine of the Incarnation – when God gave the world Jesus, and enabled us to receive part of God Himself. It is, in essence, the holy day that celebrates the birth of God’s love in our worldly lives.
So, whatever your religious background or beliefs, I wish you and those close to you a season filled with great wonder and much love.
Merry Christmas!
Jeff
(*Note: I use the masculine term for God because the English language has no gender-neutral term. Some readers may take exception to my use of “He” or “Him” or “His” when referring to God; I ask your indulgence and perhaps forgiveness. Obviously, God is bigger than gender, but we’re limited in our language!)
