Monday, December 24, 2001

Read: Matthew 25:31-46

It would have been an unthinkable frivolity to speak of the Titanic's sinking in the Atlantic Ocean on the day of her departure from England. To prophecy the end of the world - Doomsday, on the day of Creation, was unfathomable. Yet, Christmas is a day that gets its deeper meaning retrospectively from the memory of Jesus' death on the Cross.

The fact that Christmas falls on December 25th is but one indication that the early Christian church tried to cope with the cultural environment of Mediterranean Europe, into which it launched its mission to spread God's Word and the story of Jesus Christ. December 25th had originally been a major pagan festival, Sol Invictus, the "Birth of Unconquerable Sun," marking the winter solstice. The sun's triumph over the darkness in the sky was comparable to the triumphal entry of Christianity into the world of the Roman Empire.

For the last four weeks we have been waiting for the arrival of Jesus on earth, preparing ourselves to welcome the newly born Infant Savior, which is the fundamental spirit of the Advent season. Yes, we have waited, waited, and are still waiting for the arrival of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, not just for the last four weeks, but for the last two thousand years. Jesus has not come yet! I am talking about His Second Coming, the Parousia, since I do not expect to see Jesus born again in the fragile form of an infant.

Yes, today we may enjoy watching our children's Christmas Pageant during evening worship at church. In the spirit of joy and peace, we may hear joyful voices praising God, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors!" Though we rejoice that Jesus' Second Coming is a joyful day of Love for those God favors, we must also remember that for others it will be a day of Justice, bringing tears for the many lost.

Sungsoo Hans Hahn

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