Christmas is About Redemption

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

“If man had his way, the plan of redemption would be an endless and bloody conflict. In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus’ fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.” A.W. Tozer, Preparing for Jesus’ Return: Daily Live the Blessed Hope

I really like stories about redemption. My heart leaps when a character goes from villain to hero, or clueless to self-aware and likeable or even misguided to sensible and wise . There are many stories with redemptive character arcs. Some of my favorite are Harold Abrahams in Chariots of Fire, Phil Connors in Groundhog Day, Peter Appleton/Luke Trimble in The Majestic, and my favorite seasonal story character which is Ebeneezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. What’s better than seeing the likes of Scrooge transformed by his overnight encounters with the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and “Christmas Yet to Come”. The dour, testy, selfish and miserly old man who hates Christmas wakes up being a joyful, selfless and generous member of the community who finally embraces the meaning of Christmas.

The story of redemption I appreciate most starts in the Christmas story. In the chaos that is the American Christmas season it is easy to forget that Christmas is part of the story of God’s plan of redemption. The main character of this story is the Messiah, Jesus. Born in humble circumstances but with a great destiny. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us)” Matthew 1:23.  However, it isn’t Jesus, God incarnate, but humans who are redeemed from their rebellion and given an opportunity to live in the presence of their creator.

Of course this is only the beginning of the redemption story. Soon comes the death and resurrection. But for now, let’s pause and revel in the glory that is the first Advent. As Linus quotes from the King James Bible in A Charlie Brown Christmas: “‘And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.‘ That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

As we ponder with reverence and gratitude the great gift of redemption that is in Christ at this time of year, let us also remember that we also have the opportunity to offer redemption to others through forgiveness. As we have missed the mark with our Creator, so we have missed the mark with others, and they have done so with us. We can’t demand forgiveness of others for our failings, but we can offer redemption through forgiveness for the failings of others toward us. 

Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew offers some thoughts on how we can well respond to the Christmas season: “But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas-time, when it has come round— apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that— as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!’

May that be your experience as well. If not, I pray it will be.

A Blessed and Merry Christmas to you all!