Love Came Down At Christmas

There's a startling sense in the way Christians look around the world and lament at the status quo of secular Christmas celebration. I think it's startling because we think we've got it when sometimes we really haven't. The truth is, the focus and essence of the saving work of Christ still eludes the understanding of many today. At its worst, this kind of misunderstanding can become idolatrous. So really, it is a startling and grave matter.

Let me show you how this is the case from just one aspect - music and lyrics - my little 'niche' as it were. Take for instance these two songs that are commonly sung during Christmas - Above All written by Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc, and We Are The Reason written by David Meece. One or two lines from each song should be able to sufficiently bring across my point.

"You took the fall and thought of me above all."

~Above All

"We are the reason that He gave His life, we are the reason that He suffered and died."

~We Are The Reason

As you might observe, the problem with the focus and essence of the saving work of Christ that has been suggested by the titular verses of these two songs is this: In terms of focus, we - Man - serve as the ultimate, decisive cause and objective for the atoning death of Christ; in terms of essence, the divine attribute that these songs logically gravitate toward is love.

The superlative expression 'above all' in the first song firmly establishes us as the ultimate focus of the Messiah's consciousness as He bled and died. Similarly, the definite article 'the' in the phrase 'we are the reason' cleanly excludes the main God-exalting purpose of Christ's propitiatory sacrifice.

Is this wrong? Biblically, yes. And it is sad that in this spirit of Man-centredness we often go about rejoicing during the festivity of Christmas. It can even become idolatrous.

So on one hand, let us remember the unwavering love of God for His sheep. But on the other, let us relinquish all attention from ourselves. Let us restore the focus of Christ's atoning death to God by seeing it as the vindication of His righteousness. And let us know that the essence of Christ's saving work is foremost a matter of God's glory, which thus encompasses His love.

To see what I mean, read carefully the following passages of Scripture:

"(...) the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

~Romans 3:24c-26

"Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy."

~Romans 15:7-9

"In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace."

~Ephesians 1:5-6a

Lastly, there is one important thing for us to understand when we talk about the love of God in the saving work of Jesus. Remember, God's love for us is never in that He makes much of us. Rather, it is when God, at great cost to Himself through the death of His son, so inclines our hearts to make much of Him. And in doing so, He is glorified in giving us everlasting joy and satisfaction in Him alone.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (...) This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

~John 3:16, 17:3

"More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ."

~Philippians 3:8

So truly, love came down at Christmas, love to help us find the treasure divine.

Back To School

Almost froze to death like a popsicle in ACJC while taking SAT II this morning. Thank God that all three subject tests were totally manageable. For the past week, the kids below, plus more of them from Sunday School, have afforded me absolutely zero time to study for this paper (which actually doesn't really matter because US is currently second choice, haha).

Anyways, I'm having early nostalgia by observing that until now, I've attended every Kids' Camp with dread, and then dreaded not having to mark their attendance on the morning of the fourth day. I've always left feeling younger somehow, yet more acutely aware of how much innocence has since been lost from when I was in their place no more than 7 years ago.

A couple of photos to share:

Class PG4! See if you can pick out the ingenious symbolisms in this photoframe design. *grin*

Teachers' banner for war games on Day 3, forged by Small Zebra, Duck II, Duck III and myself in less than 2 hours (enter the Caretaker).