Signs, symbols, significant words, lights and music all communicate messages to people without reference to an explicit reasoning process. The communication of the message is immediate and frequently accompanied by strong emotions in a person.

The prior experience of the people whether through family, culture, formal education or spirituality, can deepen the personal experience of meaning that flows from the signs and symbols.

On the other hand, a lack of prior experience with the meaning of the signs and symbols or an indifference to them can diminish or even eliminate the possibility of the communication of meaning along with a deep emotional response.

In this Christmas column, I want to reflect on some of the images of Christmas. I have two reasons for my decision:
1) I want to remind people who have had prior experience with the signs and symbols of Christmas to sharpen the meaning and to accept the challenge of the symbols for their lives; and
2) I want to invite people who are searching for God and meaning in their lives to slow down and really reflect on the images of Christmas so they can begin to experience the hope, joy and love the images communicate.

The source of the images

The Scriptures are the source of the images of Christmas. The Scriptures cannot be read as we read a book or a newspaper. They must be read slowly, quietly, reflectively, prayerfully and frequently.

While the Gospels according to Matthew and Luke speak of the birth of the Lord and contain many references to the images of Christmas, it is the Gospel of John that explores the profound meaning of the images. 

Remember the words of John’s Gospel: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us and we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 14) 

There are three key words in the text: Word, flesh and dwelling. Let us reflect on each word.

1) Word – Word is a technical term in the Scriptures (note it is capitalised). It is a reference to the second person of the Blessed Trinity, to the creative Word of God that preexisted creation and was responsible for creation along with the Father and the Holy Spirit;

2) Flesh – In Scripture, flesh means all that is transitory, mortal and imperfect. When the text states that the Word became flesh, it means that the second person of the Blessed Trinity took on our human nature and became one of us in everything but sin. (Hebrews 4: 15)

3) Dwelling – This is a reference to the Old Testament revelation that God wishes to live among his people (Exodus 25: 8). The expectation of the people was that the desire of God would be fulfilled through historic and sacred symbols e.g. the Ark of the Covenant or through sacred places e.g. the Temple in Jerusalem.

Never in Old Testament Salvation History was there an expectation that the desire of God to live among his people would be fulfilled by God personally. That expectation was beyond the imagination of both leaders and people.

The second part of the quotation from John’s Gospel “and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth” is equally important because it shows that Jesus was sent by the Father for a specific purpose: to offer salvation and proclaim the truth that makes people free.

There are three key words in the second part of the text: glory, grace and truth.      
1) Glory – This is an Old Testament term for a visible and powerful manifestation of God to the people. When the Word became flesh, the glory of God became visible to the people. Even though the visibility of God was communicated in a humble and non- threatening manner, the unfolding of the story of Jesus in John’s Gospel shows how the people slowly perceived the glory of God present in Christ.

2) Grace – This is the term of the New Testament which is most similar to the Old Testament term hesed which means the kindness of God. God’s kindness was evident when God chose his people for salvation and also as God manifested his fidelity to the covenant. In Jesus we have access, in a tangible way, to the grace and fidelity of God. 

3) Truth – This term in the Scriptures is frequently understood as revelation. For example, God used Moses to teach the people about the terms of the covenant through the revealed commandments. However, Jesus does much more. Jesus is the Wisdom of God. Jesus teaches truth through presence, preaching and witness. He offers the joy of salvation to those who live by the truth.

Popular symbols

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke contain many images that historically have become an important part of the Christmas tradition: angels, stable, star, shepherds, wise men. The images also tell the story of significant people e.g. Mary and Joseph and Herod. The images are immortalized in music.  

For many people, the popular images of Christmas block them from the understanding of Christmas. They never get to the level of John’s Gospel. As a result, Christmas passes quickly and life goes on as before.

But for those who use the historically popular images of Christmas as a context for appreciating the meaning of Christmas, the message of John’s Gospel becomes very real and very challenging.

Conclusion

As believers, we are called to make visible, tangible and accessible to others the justice, love and peace of God. We are called to be a source of hope and light to the world throughout the entire year.

How can we respond to that challenge? There is only one way. Similar to Mary, the Mother of God, we must treasure all the images of Christmas and reflect on them in our hearts. (Luke 2: 19)

There is a great need for quality ministry in our world. The images of Christmas can help motivate us to move beyond self and become involved in ministry. They can also help us to persevere in ministry until the Lord returns in glory.
A Blessed Christmas to all!