Christmas comes again, and for many Americans, the end of Advent brings with it a welcome sigh of relief. All the presents are finally wrapped and sit gloriously under the tree. Everything is set, and we are ready to celebrate the birth of Christ. But in truth, we must ask ourselves: Has the rush of the season crowded out the meaning of this unique holiday? Have the outward celebrations overshadowed the inward significance of Christmas from its rightful place in our souls?
The birth of the savior of the world — for this is what Christians believe to be what occurred on Christmas — is both real and historical as well as supernatural and spiritual. Much has been written about the historicity of this day as well as its existential meaning, and now that Christmas 2024 has arrived, it seems right and proper to take a moment and reflect upon what some of the great theologians down through the ages had to say about the meaning of Christmas.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Christmas Message
Dietrich Bonhoeffer's life was cut short by his resistance to the Nazis, but he left behind a legacy of rich and meaningful writings about his faith. On Dec. 2, 1928, the German theologian preached the following message, which says in part:
Perhaps we have thought so much of God as love eternal, and we feel the warm pleasures of Christmas when he comes gently like a child. We have been shielded from the awful nature of Christmas and no longer feel afraid at the coming near of God Almighty. We have selected from the Christmas story only the pleasant bits, forgetting the awesome nature of an event in which the God of the universe, its Creator and Sustainer, draws near to this little planet and now speaks to us. The coming of God is not only a message of joy, but also fearful news for anyone who has a conscience.
Without doubt, the people of Christ should rejoice that the Word has become flesh and dwelt among us (John 1.14) and that the Dayspring has visited us, “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1.78-79). But we must also be reminded that the birth of Jesus brings judgment on those who do not know him. The Jesus of the manger is also the Jesus foretold in Malachi 4.1-3. Both demand of His children a bold telling of Good News.
St. Augustine’s Christmas Message
St. Augustine served as bishop of Hippo from 396 to 430. He is considered one of the greatest theologians in history. His lasting influence speaks of the power and depth of his Christian thought. His writings include The City of God and Confessions.
Let us celebrate, then, the birth of the Lord with the manner and mood of celebration that it deserves (...) Rejoice, you righteous: the one who justifies you has been born. Rejoice, you weak and sick: he who heals you has been born. Rejoice, you captives: the one who redeems you has been born. Rejoice, you servants: the Lord is born. Rejoice, you who are free: he who sets you free is born. Let all Christians rejoice: Christ is born. (Sermon 184, 2)
Oswald Chambers’ Christmas Message
Oswald Chambers was born in Scotland in 1874 and penned one of the most famous devotionals. Despite its publication date of approximately 100 years ago, My Utmost for His Highest remains popular today. Here is the modern classic translation of Chambers’ famed work taken from his entry on Dec. 25:
“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” … (Galatians 4:19). Just as our Lord came into human history from the outside, so he must come into me from the outside. Have I allowed my personal life to become a Bethlehem for the Son of God? I can't enter into the realm of the kingdom of God unless I'm born again from above in a birth totally unlike natural birth.
Jesus said, "You must be born again" (John 3:7). This isn't a command; it's a statement of fact, the fact upon which our entrance into the kingdom depends. The characteristic of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that Christ is formed in me. The instant he is formed in me, his nature begins to work through me. God manifest in my flesh: this is what is made possible for you and for me by the redemption.
As these famed Christian theologians' words have echoed through the centuries, they still speak to our hearts and ultimately cause us to answer the question for ourselves: What does Christmas mean to you?
