December 27, 2009

  • No Christmas next year...?

     There is enough reason to get rid of Christmas. The Reformed Theologian Prof.Dr. A. van de Beek writes in his (Dutch) book “De Kring om de Messias” (Circle around the Messiah). ,,This becomes more clear all the time as we see the influence of Santa Claus in Christmas '', he writes. “That’s not a loss for the church but a win.”

     

    According to the professor Christmas is the only Christian feast day that does not have a Jewish parallel. “Christmas does not have roots in the Early Christian church either. Early Christians did not feel a need to celebrate the birth of Jesus”, writes Van de Beek.

     

    prophecy  He continues that Christmas was only celebrated in the 4th century, when Christianity became a state religion. “Christmas is not the fulfillment of an Old Testament feast, but the continuation of a Roman and Celtic Mid-Winter Feast. The symbols originate in Scripture but from paganism. A Christian church that considers itself part of the fulfillment of Gods grace as it was promised long ago, should not know what to do with Christmas.

     

    In Christmas time we hear a paradox in the story that God came to earth as a baby in the manger, according to Van de Beek. “That seems to match with the confession that the crucified Christ is the Lord of Lords. That connection can only be justified if one removes the cross from the Jewish biblical context and disregards its true meaning.

     

    The cross was to execute a person in the first place and not a place to suffer, according to the theologian. Christ was executed as the condemned (according to the law). “That is a complete different story than the little child in the manger. Even Luke 2 becomes shallow if you take it out of its Jewish context.”

     

    Van de Beek point to the facts that Jesus was born in a shed surrounded by animals. In the old Testament all first born animals were to be killed as a sacrifice as a remembrance of the tenth plague in Egypt. “For Jews this is very symbolic”, he explains further.

     

    Often this connection is avoided. Instead we hear the story of the poor, little Christmas child that was born in Bethlehem. “Just like all other romantic Christmas stories about a little baby that became a King. And there are too many of the tales. These stories are favorites with rich people.''

     

    When asked, Van de Beek explains that in his opinion Chritsmas, just like the rest of Scripture point towards Good Friday when Christ died on the cross. “You can’t disconnect Christmas from Good Friday. Generally there is too much attention given to the partial chapter of Luke 2. The coming of Jesus into the world is just the beginning of His life on earth. Nowadays this coming is presented as something special, something that requires our attention and devotion by itself. “

     

    Celebrating Christmas is also not possible, according to Van de Beek, “without dying with/in Christ.” “Often Christmas is seen as a light in the darkness, and then we continue on like nothing has happened.”

     

    Van de Beek does not understand pastors who only say “He paid for our sins” (on the cross) and then think that they have placed Christmas in light of His sacrifice on the cross. “We have to realize our own sins of every day here on earth. If you are aware of that, you will celebrate Christmas differently than many around you”.

     

    Van de Beek is leading the worship service on Christmas day in his congregation. “I celebrate Christmas like anyone else. As theologian I can reflect on Christmas, but as long as my congregation celebrates Christmas, I will celebrate with them.”

     

    Dr. A van de Beek is author of “De kring om de Messias” (Circle around the Messiah) and “Jezus Kurios: de christologie als hart van de theologie.” (Jesus Kurios: christology as heart of theology)