by Dan Jones
Well, it’s finally time for Christmas music on Kinship Christian Radio.
Yes, we’ve finally reached that part of the year where those old, familiar carols will echo from our radio speakers and resound in our hearts with comfort and joy.
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing! Glory to the newborn King!
Hallelujah! Peace on earth, good will to men!
Silent Night, Holy Night!
There is great joy at Christmas time, but did you ever stop to consider the birth of Christ as an invasion?
In her book, “The Crucifixion, Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ,” Fleming Rutledge writes, “Over and over again we find it: the meaning of Christmas is that God is invading the territory held by the Prince of Darkness.”
And she makes the point that this is reflected in numerous medieval Christmas carols.
Most truly medieval carols are not familiar to us as they were sung in Latin, but the theme of Christmas as an invasion of light over darkness, of goodness triumphing over evil, continued on.
One of the oldest carols still in use is “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”and was originally composed by Charles Wesley in 1739. The theme of Jesus as conquering King come to earth to reconcile God and sinners is unmistakable.
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” dates back to the 1500’s and, although we often associate it with “tidings of comfort and joy,” the very first verse makes it clear that this comfort and joy comes,”For Jesus Christ our Saviour was born upon this day, To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.”
While we all revel in the holiness, stillness, and peace of “Silent Night” (written in 1861) Jesus is “love’s pure light” invading the darkness of that night.
One of my personal favorites, “O Holy Night” (1847) describes the invasion of Jesus as the breaking of a new day:
“Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”
And, lest you think that this weary old world has grown tired of the theme of light and love invading and conquering the darkness, I’m going to boldly state that two of our most popular Christmas traditions from recent popular culture have exactly the same theme.
Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel’s 1957 Christmas classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” casts the Grinch as evil himself who sneaks down into Whoville and steals all the Whos’ presents and all the food for their Christmas feast, thinking he will destroy Christmas by taking all the Whos’ stuff. But, when Christmas morning dawns, it isn’t crying he hears but the sound of singing and rejoicing. And who can forget little Cindy Lou Who and the love that invaded that old Grinch and made his heart grow three sizes that day?
Even more popular than the Grinch is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Produced on a shoe-string budget in six months in 1965, this timeless Christmas classic pits Charlie Brown against the materialism of our modern version of Christmas devoid of any real meaning or value until Linus stands on stage and recites Luke 2:8-14:
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
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 tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, 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 and goodwill towards men.”
Linus then walks back over to Charlie Brown and gently says, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
The show ends with all the characters singing, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”
Today’s Praise
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13 & 14 NIV