Matthew 1:18-24
Way In
Christmas spending
In America
National Retail Federation
Expects sales in November and December to rise 3.8% to a record $469.1 billion
Last year spending went up 5.2% during the holiday season, putting both years above the 2.6% average increase over the past 10 years.
And that’s just in the US
We’re probably the highest
But we’re not the only country spending money at Christmas
I guess there are folks out there working hard to “keep Christ in Christmas”
But somebody sure is spending a lot of money
After all, Christmas is …
Christmas is…December 25 is …what?
Matthew’s gospel says that King Herod the Great died right after the birth of Christ
Herod the Great died in 4BC, right after he ordered the “slaughter of the innocents.” That is to say, all of the 2-year-old boys, because he was after the King of the Jews
So we can say, in the context of historical reference that Jesus Christ was born between the 6th and 4th years BC.
But the church didn’t celebrate the Nativity of Christ for another 300 years
Hippolytus of Rome (170-235 AD)
Without going into all of his studies and theories
Known for producing a chronicle of the world
Set the birth of Christ on December 25
Saturnalia
Ancient Roman festival honoring the god, Saturn
Agricultural god over the Golden Age
When people enjoyed and shared the earth’s bounty
Without labor, sort of an egalitarian utopia
Celebrations of the feast reflected that age
Well-established festival by C. 2nd AD
Festivities took place from December 17
As the days shortened, to the shortest day of the year (solstice) – there was great celebration after that, when the days began to get longer
This was the celebration of the victory of day over night
The festival:
great feasts, even masters provided feasts for their servants
Time off from work
Lots of candles to celebrate light
As the Roman Empire became increasingly Christian (official religion under Emperor Constantine in C. 4 a.d.) …
the chronicles of the church placing Jesus’ birth in December coincided with and were influenced by the festival of Saturnalia
and the celebrations of Christmastide – Advent, Nativity, Epiphany – emerged
fast-forward to the 20th century
time doesn’t permit a full exposition of the history of Santa Claus
But I will suggest to you a evolving image through the syncretism of
The benevolent St. Nicholas
The poetry of The Night Before Christmas
And commercial development of the persona in Coca Cola ads
Brings us the “jolly old elf” we see everywhere today
Even kneeling at the manger in many crèches
Don’t get me started on that…
So now is the season – a full realization of the syncretism of church and culture
The birth of Jesus, the visit of Santa Claus, and Americans spending over $400 bil.
Despite the commercial excess of spending and promotion
Messiah – God among us – changes everything
The God of all creation has come among us
Jesus Christ, the Light of the World has shown us how to live
Full of grace and truth
To bring about the Kingdom of God
Prophesied by Isaiah
Mary exalted in the Magnificat
Jesus preached, his first sermon at Nazareth
Tell The Story
Read gospel again
See for yourself how this challenges cultural norms, Mary and Joseph’s relationship – which is, in the end, strengthened
How the birth of Jesus changes everything
So What?
Moving from cynicism about the commercialization of Christmas
Remembering what is true about the coming of Messiah
Hear these words from Fr. Daniel Berrigan
Testimony: The Word Made Flesh, by Daniel Berrigan, S.J. Orbis Books, 2004.
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.
So let it be with us. Amen.
