The babe in the...cemetery???
Lately I have been doing a lot of reading, meditating and praying about Luther's "theology of the cross". The theology of the cross is the "lens" through which he understood all Scripture and doctrine. In a nutshell, the theology of the cross is the understanding that God best demonstrates His power through the Cross. Paradoxically, it is through the shame and agony and seeming defeat of Jesus' death on the cross that His power is made manifest. Luther contrasted his theology of the cross with what he called the "theology of glory" - the "lens" through which the rest of the medieval church viewed and understood Scripture. The theology of glory celebrates works and what humanity can do; the theology of the cross celebrates Christ and what he alone can accomplish.
As a result of this understanding of Scripture, Lutheran doctrine and teaching has historically been Christ-centric. That might seem an odd thing to say. Aren't all churches, by their nature, Christ-centric? Well, yes, of course. But are they Cross-centric? Do they view God's power and glory through the lens of the Cross? I'd like to share a true story that I think well illustrates the theology of the cross in action.
A couple of years ago, the city of Lloydminster, Alberta found itself making national headlines. Lloydminster is one of the few Canadian cities that still alllows a nativity scene on city property, but that was not the controversy. It wasn't whether it should be allowed, but rather where it was to be allowed to stand. In previous years the city had displayed the scene in front of the city hall building, but a new, shinier city hall had been contructed that year and the city decreed that the humble manger scene, constructed of plywood, nails and paint, was too shabby to be displayed in front of the new building. So they decided to put the manger scene in a new place - the cemetery!
The resulting uproar caught the attention of one of the oldest and best known newspapers in Canada, the Globe and Mail (in Toronto). Globe reporters asked local residents - and a number of pastors - what they thought of the decision. One after another residents and pastors decried the decision - the babe of Bethlehem relegated to the cemetery? What was the world coming to?
But one pastor, Reverend Nolan Astley of First Lutheran Church in Lloydminster had a different perspective. He thought that the cemetery was a fantastic spot for the nativity scene. The skeptical reporter informed him that he was a minority of one - no one else thought this was an appropriate place for the creche. Pastor Astlely explained that Jesus came not to sort things out at city hall (where a theology of glory perceives "power" to be) but rather to conquer sin and death. That is what Christmas is all about.
"In Him was life and that life was the light of men". The Saviour was born not to conquer the Romans or sort out all the problems in Jerusalem, but to bring us life. He enters a dying world to die for us. He takes our punishment and we are set free, even from death. It might seem odd to place a manger scene in the cemetery, but it is certainly not inappropriate. One day those graves will give up their dead when the Son of God returns in glory. The advent of that great day is our prayer: "Come, Lord Jesus!"
May that comfort be ours this Christmas and on all days until the Saviour comes in glory! A blessed Christmas to you all.
As a result of this understanding of Scripture, Lutheran doctrine and teaching has historically been Christ-centric. That might seem an odd thing to say. Aren't all churches, by their nature, Christ-centric? Well, yes, of course. But are they Cross-centric? Do they view God's power and glory through the lens of the Cross? I'd like to share a true story that I think well illustrates the theology of the cross in action.
A couple of years ago, the city of Lloydminster, Alberta found itself making national headlines. Lloydminster is one of the few Canadian cities that still alllows a nativity scene on city property, but that was not the controversy. It wasn't whether it should be allowed, but rather where it was to be allowed to stand. In previous years the city had displayed the scene in front of the city hall building, but a new, shinier city hall had been contructed that year and the city decreed that the humble manger scene, constructed of plywood, nails and paint, was too shabby to be displayed in front of the new building. So they decided to put the manger scene in a new place - the cemetery!
The resulting uproar caught the attention of one of the oldest and best known newspapers in Canada, the Globe and Mail (in Toronto). Globe reporters asked local residents - and a number of pastors - what they thought of the decision. One after another residents and pastors decried the decision - the babe of Bethlehem relegated to the cemetery? What was the world coming to?
But one pastor, Reverend Nolan Astley of First Lutheran Church in Lloydminster had a different perspective. He thought that the cemetery was a fantastic spot for the nativity scene. The skeptical reporter informed him that he was a minority of one - no one else thought this was an appropriate place for the creche. Pastor Astlely explained that Jesus came not to sort things out at city hall (where a theology of glory perceives "power" to be) but rather to conquer sin and death. That is what Christmas is all about.
"In Him was life and that life was the light of men". The Saviour was born not to conquer the Romans or sort out all the problems in Jerusalem, but to bring us life. He enters a dying world to die for us. He takes our punishment and we are set free, even from death. It might seem odd to place a manger scene in the cemetery, but it is certainly not inappropriate. One day those graves will give up their dead when the Son of God returns in glory. The advent of that great day is our prayer: "Come, Lord Jesus!"
May that comfort be ours this Christmas and on all days until the Saviour comes in glory! A blessed Christmas to you all.
5 comments:
Wishing you a very blessed Christmas my dear friend, I love you.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for entry. It is true. Been thinking about how the King of Glory, God Himself, humbled himself to take on human flesh - and that of vulnerable baby - a poor, vulnerable baby. and the reason for His doing that.
Merry CHRISTmas my friend! GOD BLESS YOU!
My dear friend, could you please tell me how you got that mercy drop on your blog? I have been trying to put it on my blog, but I cannot get it on there. I would really appreciate any help you could give me. I love you.
Shortybear - I right-clicked on the image and saved it to my local drive. Then I uploaded it to my template from it's location on my drive. If this doesn't work for you, you could contact Kari (Healed Waters) who created the button. She would probably know what to do. Hope that helps!
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